Method, system, and apparatus for battery life extension and peripheral expansion of a wearable data collection device

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing an external power supply, memory device, camera, and/or other peripheral capabilities to a head-mounted data collection device may include a first portion releasably connecting to the data collection device. The first portion may have a first data port interface configured for connection to a corresponding data port interface of the data collection device. The apparatus may have a second portion releasably connectable to the first portion, the second portion including an internal data port interface configured for connection to a corresponding internal data port interface of the first portion, a power cell module, and a power supply interface configured for connection to a corresponding power supply input of the head-mounted wearable data collection device. The first portion and/or the second portion may include interface logic for receiving data via the first data port and command logic for issuing commands to the data collection device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/726,097, filed Oct. 5, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/880,190, filed Oct. 9, 2015 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,799,301), which is related to and claims the priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/062,077 entitled “Method, System,and Apparatus for Battery Life Extension and Peripheral Expansion of aWearable Data Collection Device” and filed Oct. 9, 2014 and also to U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/152,316 entitled “Method, System, andApparatus for Battery Life Extension and Peripheral Expansion of aWearable Data Collection Device” and filed Apr. 24, 2015, and is furtherrelated to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/511,039 entitled“Systems, Environment and Methods for Evaluation and Management ofAutism Spectrum Disorder using a Wearable Data Collection Device” andfiled Oct. 9, 2014, which claims the priority of both U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/943,727 entitled “Method, System, and Wearable datacollection device 106 for Evaluation and Management of Autism SpectrumDisorder” and filed Feb. 24, 2014 and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/888,531 entitled “A Method and Device to Provide InformationRegarding Autism Spectrum Disorders” and filed Oct. 9, 2013. Thecontents of each of the documents listed above are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Wearable computing devices, such as Google Glass™, video gaming inputdevices, and health and fitness wearable devices, are used by a diversebody of wearers in a diverse set of circumstances. Wearable computingdevices, in one example, enable users to manipulate and interact with asoftware application executing upon a stationary computing device (e.g.,home use, work use, etc.). While this circumstance may present the userwith reasonable opportunity for power recharging, wearable computingdevices are also commonly used outdoors with little or no access tocharging opportunities. Additionally, applications for wearablecomputing devices include activity intense usage which limitsopportunities for recharging the wearable device such as applicationsinvolving medical surgery. There is a need for power expansion andrecharging options beyond those available on the market today. Fordescriptions of example wearable computing devices, see U.S. Pat. No.8,203,502 entitled “Wearable Heads-Up Display with IntegratedFinger-Tracking Input Sensor” and filed May 25, 2011, and U.S. PatentApplication No. 20140016800 entitled “Wearable Computing Device withBehind-Ear Bone-Conduction Speaker” and filed Jan. 16, 2014, thecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

At present, for example, external battery power packs are available forcommon handheld electronic devices. Although these may be useful inrecharging items such as tablet computers and cellular telephones, theyare often too heavy and unwieldy to provide ample power expansion andrecharging opportunity for wearable computing devices. Indeed, thepresent trend with wearable computing devices is towards ever smaller,lighter, and comfortable devices which allow the wearer easy range ofaction during use.

Additionally, there are other functions that are often limited orunavailable in current wearable especially heads-up wearable devices.For instance, some of the functionalities that are often missinginclude: expandable data storage, encrypted data storage, ability tochoose when and how to send data to the cloud or to servers, ability tocapture images that convey the immersiveness of having and using aheads-up display, ability to remotely access wearable hardware throughan alternative channel to the factory default ones, and more.

SUMMARY

Wearable data collection devices (wearable computers and other wearabletechnology with data input capabilities such as a wearable healthmonitor or activity tracker) are designed to be worn by a user. Ingeneral, the wearable data collection device 106 104 or 108 may beconfigured as a single, physically-contiguous device, or as a collectionof two or more units that can be physically independent orsemi-independent of each other but function as a whole as a wearabledata collection device. The wearable data collection device 106 can bearranged on the body, near the body, or embedded within the body, inpart or entirely.

The wearable data collection device 106 can be configured to collect avariety of data. For example, a microphone device built into the datacollection device may collect voice recording data, while a video cameradevice built into the data collection device may collect video recordingdata. The voice recording data and video recording data, for example,may be streamed via a network for storage or real time sharing ofinformation.

Furthermore, in some implementations, the wearable data collectiondevice 106 is configured to collect a variety of data regarding themovements and behaviors of the wearer. For example, the wearable datacollection device 106 may include motion detecting devices, such as oneor more gyroscopes, accelerometers, global positioning system, and/ormagnetometers used to collect motion tracking data regarding motions ofthe wearer and/or head position data regarding motion particular to thewearer's head.

In some implementations, the wearable data collection device 106 isconfigured to collect eye tracking data. For example, the wearable datacollection device 106 may include an eye tracking module configured toidentify when the wearer is looking straight ahead (for example, througha glasses style wearable data collection device) and when the wearer ispeering up, down, or off to one side.

The wearable data collection device, in some implementations, isconfigured to monitor physiological functions of wearer. In someexamples, the wearable data collection device 106 may collect heartand/or breathing rate data, electrocardiogram (EKG) data,electroencephalogram (EEG) data, and/or Electromyography (EMG) data. Thewearable data collection device 106 may interface with one or moreperipheral devices, in some embodiments, to collect the physiologicaldata. For example, the wearable data collection device 106 may have awired or wireless connection with a separate heart rate monitor, EEGunit, or EMG unit. In other embodiments, at least a portion of thephysiological data is collected via built-in monitoring systems.Optional onboard and peripheral sensor devices for use in monitoringphysiological data are described in relation to FIG. 12.

A wearable data collection device, in some implementations, is ahead-mounted wearable computer. A wearable data collection device 106may include an optical head-mounted display (OHMD). In a particularexample, the wearable data collection device 106 may be a standard ormodified form of Google Glass™ by Google Inc. of Mountain View, Calif.In some implementations, the data collection device includes a bioniccontact lens. For example, the OHMD may be replaced with a bioniccontact lens capable of providing augmented reality functionality. Inanother example, an implantable device, such as a visual prosthesis(e.g., bionic eye) may provide augmented reality functionality.

When one or more components of the wearable data collection device 106is embedded within the body, the one or more components can be embeddedbeneath the skin; within the brain; in contact with input or outputstructures of the body such as peripheral nerves, cranial nerves,ganglia, or the spinal cord; within deep tissue such as muscles ororgans; within body cavities; between organs; in the blood; in otherfluid or circulatory systems; inside cells; between cells (such as inthe interstitial space); or in any other manner arranged in a way thatis embedded within the body, permanently or temporarily. When one ormore components of the wearable data collection device 106 is embeddedwithin the body, the one or more components may be inserted into thebody surgically, by ingestion, by absorption, via a living vector, byinjection, or other means. When one or more components of the wearabledata collection device 106 is embedded within the body, the one or morecomponents may include data collection sensors placed in direct contactwith tissues or systems that generate discernible signals within thebody, or stimulator units that can directly stimulate tissue or organsor systems that can be modulated by stimulation. Data collection sensorsand stimulator units are described in greater detail in relation to FIG.12.

For a description of additional uses and configurations for ahead-mounted computer system as described herein, see U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/511,039, entitled “Systems, Environment, andMethods for Evaluation and Management of Autism Spectrum Disorder Usinga Wearable Data Collection Device” and filed Oct. 9, 2014, incorporatedby reference in its entirety.

Wearable data collection devices, for comfort and ease of use, aretypically configured as wireless devices. Further, for comfort and easeof use, the weight of wearable data collection devices is oftenminimized during design. As such, power consumption and battery life canbe problematic for wearable data collection devices.

A releasable power attachment apparatus connects to a wearable datacollection device 106 to extend the battery life of the wearable datacollection device 106 with a secondary power source contained within thereleasable power attachment apparatus. The power source within thereleasable power attachment apparatus may include a Lithium Ion battery.

In some implementations, the releasable power attachment apparatusincludes charging apparatus. For example, the releasable powerattachment apparatus may include an induction charging apparatus forconnection-free charging of the releasable power attachment apparatus.In this manner, the releasable power attachment apparatus may be chargedwhile connected to or disconnected from the wearable data collectiondevice. The charging apparatus, furthermore, may be used for maintainingthe power level of the releasable power attachment apparatus during use.For example, the releasable power attachment may include one or moresolar panels, thermoelectric charging mechanisms, and/or piezoelectriccharging mechanisms to maintain power source charge or slow depletionthereof.

In addition to or instead of enhancing battery life of a wearable datacollection device, in some implementations, the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus includes one or more peripheral expansion elementsfor expanding the capabilities of the wearable data collection device.For example, the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus may includeone or more memory components, integrated circuit components, audioenhancement components, wireless communication components, sensorcomponents, data encryption components, image/video capture components,and/or lighting components. The peripheral expansion elements, in someembodiments, are built into a particular releasable peripheralattachment apparatus. For example, a user may obtain a number ofreleasable peripheral attachment units, each with one or more expansionelements. The user may select a particular releasable peripheralattachment unit based upon a current desired use. For example, somereleasable peripheral attachment units may weigh more than others butinclude components useful in certain circumstances, such as low lightsituations. In further embodiments, one or more peripheral expansionelements may be releasably connectable to a releasable peripheralattachment apparatus. For example, an external imaging component such asa rear-view video camera component may be releasably attachable to areleasable peripheral attachment apparatus.

In some implementations, the releasable peripheral attachment apparatusincludes multiple separable portions. For example, a power supplyportion of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus may beseparated from a wearable data collection device 106 interface componentsuch that a user may swap power supply or other peripheral portions out,for example allowing for recharging a first power supply portion whileusing a second power supply portion. In this manner, the user maycontinue to interact with the wearable data collection device 106 forextended periods of time (e.g., virtually “nonstop”) withoutinterruption due to loss of power. Additionally, by maintainingconnection of the interface portion with the wearable data collectiondevice, a connection port may be protected from damage (e.g., due torepeated connection/disconnection when changing out the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus).

In some implementations, a variety of power supply portions may beavailable to a user depending upon a present utility desired by theuser. For example, each version of the power supply portion may have avariety of power supply, power charging, and/or peripheral elementoptions. Depending upon a number of aspects, including cost, weight, andcompatibility with desired use, the user may select a particular versionof power supply portions to suit present needs. In a particular example,the user may connect a power supply portion including a solar panel andsolar charging system for instance including solar charge circuitry tothe wearable data collection device 106 interface component for outdooruse.

In some implementations, the user may connect a power supply portionincluding a solar panel and/or alternative mechanisms for energycollection, for instance including mechanisms for energy collection thatuse materials that obtain usable energy from heat or changes in heat,such as thermoelectric and/or pyroelectric materials, and/or materialsthat obtain usable energy from force or movement such as piezoelectricmaterials, and/or materials that obtain usable energy fromelectromagnetic radiation such as antenna-like materials andtransducers. In some implementations, a power supply portion may includetwo or more mechanisms for energy collection arranged together, forinstance where a mechanism of solar energy collection, which generallyinvolve waste heat being created, is arranged in conjunction with amechanism for obtaining usable energy from heat or changes in heat, suchthat heat emitted from solar energy collection is harvested and used tocapture more of the incoming energy from the sun. Many such combinationsof two or more mechanisms for energy collection are possible andanticipated.

Although described herein as a releasable power attachment apparatus fora wearable data collection device, the releasable power attachmentapparatus may additionally or alternatively be used to extend thebattery life of any portable data collection device or handheldcomputing device such as a smart phone, cellular phone, tablet computer,personal digital assistant, and/or handheld gaming device. A modifiedversion of the releasable power attachment apparatus, for example, maybe designed as a “shoe” to connect to the micro USB port interface of asmart phone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate an example releasable peripheralattachment apparatus for a wearable data collection device;

FIG. 2 illustrates a memory port and releasable memory device componentsfor use with the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1Athrough 1D;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a first example internal configuration of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1Dincluding an induction coil component;

FIGS. 4A through 4C illustrate example external configurations of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1Dincluding a solar collection component;

FIGS. 4D through 4J illustrate example internal configurations of asolar collection component, such as the solar collection componentsillustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4C;

FIGS. 4K through 4M illustrate additional example internalconfigurations of a solar collection component, such as the solarcollection components illustrated in FIGS. 4A through 4C, includingsupplemental energy collecting components;

FIG. 5 illustrates a second example internal configuration of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1Dincluding a near field communication component;

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate example power cord configurations of a powerand/or data cord component for use with the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1D;

FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate an example antenna camera component for use withthe releasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1D;

FIG. 9A is a flow chart of an example method for identifying andresponding to an emergency or threat using a wearable data collectiondevice 106 with a releasable peripheral attachment apparatus;

FIGS. 9B and 9C are flow charts of example method used for creating apanoramic or 360° image using a head-mounted camera device;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method for capturing and storingsecure data using a wearable data collection device 106 with areleasable peripheral attachment apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example computing system;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an example wearable computing device;

FIG. 13A is a block diagram of an example releasable peripheralattachment apparatus;

FIG. 13B is a block diagram of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus of FIG. 13A configured with audio enhancement components;

FIG. 13C is a block diagram of example power protection components ofthe releasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIG. 13A;

FIG. 13D is a block diagram of an example power distribution system ofthe releasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIG. 13A; and

FIGS. 14A-14C are block diagrams of example USB port splitters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A through 1D illustrate an example releasable peripheralattachment apparatus connected to a head-mounted glasses style wearabledata collection device. As illustrated, the wearable data collectiondevice 106 is a Google Glass™ device.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, an example configuration 100 includes areleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 connected to a left earstem 104 of a wearable data collection device 106. The releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 102 includes a series of indicator lamps108. The indicator lamps 108, for example, may illustrate charge levelof the peripheral attachment apparatus 102. Alternatively/additionally,the indicator lamps 108 may be used to present a various error statusindications. For example, using a series of five indicator lamps 108, upto thirty-two unique codes may be possible for indicating an errorcondition. To avoid confusion between battery charge level indicationand error code indication, in one example, the LED lamps may be pulsedor otherwise modulated when presenting an error code. In anotherexample, only those “codes” which are not aligned in series (e.g., whichmay be mistaken for battery charge level indication) may be used forerror indication. In further embodiments, the indicator lamps may beflashed or pulsed in a unique pattern (e.g., somewhat like morse code,such as an ON-OF-OFF-ON-OFF pattern) to designate a particular errorcondition.

Turning to FIG. 1B, the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102is separated into an interface portion 102 a and a swappable portion 102b. The interface portion 102 a in some embodiments is mounted on a USBconnection of the wearable data collection device 106. In some otherconfigurations, the interface portion 102 a is mounted on the wearabledata collection device 106 by clipping, clamping, surrounding,pressure-gripping, adhering to, or otherwise attaching physically to thewearable data collection device 106. In some configurations involvingGoogle Glass® as the wearable data collection device 106, the interfaceportion has a tubular or extruded rectilinear opening that is slid overthe end of the rim of the Glass device, on the side opposite theexisting battery module. The interface portion 102 a, in some examples,contains a removable integrated circuit (e.g., SIM card) and/or memorycomponent 110 (e.g., SD, MMC, micro-SD, etc.) and/or USB controllercircuitry, and/or USB2Go controller circuitry, and/or circuitry thatallows the interface portion 102 a to be recognized by the Android®operating system or other operating system as may be used by thewearable data collection device 106, and/or an energy storage devicesuch as a battery or super/ultra-capacitor (which may be in addition toan energy storage device in the swappable portion), and/or circuitry tosupport a software license key manager, such that software installed onthe wearable data collection device can be modulated, activated,unlocked, updated, or modified by the circuitry and firmware or softwareon the interface portion 102 a or swappable portion 102 b.

The integrated circuit component and/or memory component 110 interfaceis described in greater detail in relation to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

The swappable portion 102 b, in some implementations, includes a powersource such as a Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer battery or other similarenergy storage device. In addition to or in lieu of the power source,the swappable portion 102 b may include charging apparatus such as aninduction charging apparatus for connection-free charging of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 and/or charging of awearable data collection device 106 to which it may be attached orotherwise electrically coupled. To further enhance chargingcapabilities, the swappable portion 102 b may include one or more solarpanels, thermoelectric charging mechanisms, and/or piezoelectriccharging mechanisms to maintain power source charge or slow depletionthereof.

In some implementations, the swappable portion 102 b includes one ormore peripheral expansion elements for expanding the capabilities of thewearable data collection device. For example, the swappable portion 102b may include one or more memory components, integrated circuitcomponents, audio enhancement components, wireless communicationcomponents, sensor components, data encryption components, image/videocapture components, and/or lighting components. Although described inrelation to the swappable portion 102 b, one or more of the peripheralexpansion elements may be included within the interface portion 102 a.

By designing the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 as atwo-piece unit, the interface portion 102 a may remain somewhatpermanently mounted to the wearable data collection device 106 while theswappable portion 102 b is released for charging and/or replaced withadditional swappable portions. In some implementations, a variety ofswappable portions may be added interchangeably, each with uniquefeatures. A variety of potential features of the swappable portion 102 bare described in greater detail with relation to FIGS. 3 through 6. Theswappable portion 102 b, for example, may include a camera port 112.Further, an illumination port 120 a and/or motion sensor port 120 b maybe arranged near the camera port 112 (e.g., as illustrated in theexample implementation, above and below the camera port 112) to supportfunctionality of the camera. For example, the illumination port 120 amay be configured to provide illumination from one or more LEDs (e.g.,flash LEDs and/or infrared LEDs) to enable low light image capture bythe camera. The motion sensor port 120 b, in another example, may beused to house a motion sensor to identify movement behind the wearer ofthe wearable data collection device 106 to trigger image capture by thecamera. These features, for example, are discussed in more detail inrelation to method 900 of FIG. 9A and method 950 of FIG. 9B. In anotherexample, turning to FIG. 3A, an outlet may supply a data and/or powerport 306 (e.g., micro USB port) downward-facing from the swappableportion 102 b of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102.Example power connection configurations between the power port 306 andthe wearable data connection device 106 are discussed in more detail inrelation to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIGS. 1C and 1D illustrate separated views of the casings for theinterface portion 102 a and swappable portion 102 b of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 102. The interface portion 102 a, asillustrated includes a set of tension clips 114 for releasableattachment to a set of mated slots 116 within the swappable portion 102b. A release button 120 within the interface portion 102 a, for example,may be pressed to release the swappable portion 102 b from the interfaceportion 102 a for swapping a depleted power supply with a charged powersupply.

Upon connection of the swappable portion 102 b with the interfaceportion 102 a, an internally configured data port (e.g., micro USB port)may provide a data connection between the swappable portion 102 b andthe interface portion 102 a. As illustrated, a data port opening 118 isprovided upon the swappable portion 102 b facing surface of theinterface portion 102 a of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus 102. The swappable portion 102 b may have an additional portsuch as a micro-USB port, for instance on the back or underside, thusproviding a mechanism for charging the battery within and forestablishing a data connection with the swappable portion 102 b as astand-alone device, decoupled from the rest of the system. In otherexamples, a wire can connect the interface portion to the data and/orpower port(s) of the underlying wearable data collection device 106. Inthe case of Google Glass®, such a wire can extend along the inside ofthe rim from the otherwise empty left side of the rim and terminate in amale USB plug in order to couple directly with Glass or with anintermediary device. As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, a data port 304extends through the data port opening 118 to provide communicationbetween the swappable portion 102 b and the interface portion 102 a.Turning to FIG. 4A, the swappable portion 102 b may include a data portconnector 404 for enabling communication between the swappable portion102 b and the interface portion 102 a.

FIG. 2 illustrates a time series diagram 200 demonstrating removal ofthe memory device component 110 from a memory port 204 of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 102 of FIGS. 1A through 1D. Data may beremoved from the memory device component 110 through a wired (e.g. via amicro USB port or other external data connection) or wirelessconnection. An example method for using the memory device component 110for secure data collection and storage is described below in relation toFIG. 10. Memory or digital storage space may also be provided in anon-removable manner, for instance on dedicated chips inside eitherpiece of the device.

Memory or storage space allows for additional ability to store data, andit also allows the ability of the user to control data security. Forinstance, data can be stored on one or the other component of thereleasable device 102, and encrypted in place, or disallowed from beingtransmitted via a public network such as the Internet (e.g., to Google®in the Google Glass® example).

Additionally, mobile subscriber identifying circuitry such as asubscriber identity module (SIM) card can be part of the system, thusallowing for a completely standalone system. That would mean that thewearable data collection device including the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus 102 (plus SIM) could act as a freestanding systemto take and receive calls and to navigate the wearer through the world,from anywhere.

Although illustrated as a removable component mounted within theinterface portion 102 a of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus 102, in other implementations, the memory device component 110may be permanently mounted within the interface portion 102 a of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102. In furtherimplementations, the swappable portion 102 b may include one or both ofthe memory device component 110 and a removable integrated circuit(e.g., SIM) component. For example, turning to FIG. 3A, a memorycomponent holder 308 and an integrated circuit component holder 310 aremounted side-by-side within the swappable portion 102 b.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a first example configuration 300 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 of FIGS. 1A through 1Dincluding an induction coil component 302. As illustrated in FIG. 3A, aninternal view of the configuration 300 illustrates the induction coilcomponent 302 wrapped upon the interior wall of an externally-facingsurface (e.g., away from the wearer's head) of the swappable portion 102b of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102. Turning to FIG.3B, a cross-sectional view of the configuration 300 illustrates thepositioning of the induction coil component 302. The induction coilcomponent 302 is an example of a means for receiving electromagneticenergy at a distance, allowing for wireless recharging of the battery.Coils, in various configurations, can be mounted in either side of thehousing of the swappable portion 102 b or in either side of the housingof the interface portion 102 a, or embedded in the printed circuit boardwithin either portion. Induction coils can actually be a broad categoryand some em power receivers are not simple coils.

Rather than or in addition to an internally configured induction coilcomponent, in some embodiments, the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus 102 may include a heat dissipating material on the surfaceopposite the face of the user to encourage heat dissipation into theatmosphere. The material may be interior to, interior and exterior to,or otherwise integrated into the material of the external surface of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102.

In some configurations, the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus102 may include an overlaying structure, such as a rigid, semi-rigid, orflexible wrap, that overlays at least a portion of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 102. The overlaying structure mayadditionally overlay at least a portion of the wearable data collectiondevice with heat dissipating material. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4C where a user is donning an apparatus including a releasableperipheral apparatus connected directly to a heat-generating portion ofthe wearable data collection device (e.g., the housing of the processingcircuitry of the Google Glass device), an overlay may clip over (e.g.,frictionally attach, snugly fit, etc.) or wrap (e.g., snugly engage atleast a portion of the way surrounding the effective components) boththe stem of the wearable data collection device containing theheat-generating circuitry as well as a portion of the releasableperipheral apparatus. In the circumstance, the overlay structure mayadditionally function as a retaining element for retaining thereleasable peripheral attachment to the wearable data collection device.

In embodiments including an overlaying structure partially overlayingthe wearable data collection device, a perforated patterning may beapplied to the external surface of the overlaying structure. Forexample, a Google Glass explorer type device is designed to receivefinger swipe inputs along the stem where the releasable peripheralapparatus is attached as illustrated in FIG. 4C. To maintain adequateuser interface contact with the surface of the stem, the overlayingstructure may be designed in a mesh patterning. The mesh, in someexamples, may include decorative patterns, such as a corporate logo,picture, or other design.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an example external configuration 400 of thereleasable power attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1D includingan energy-gathering unit 401 aimed to gather usable energy from energysources in the environment, such as for instance with a solar collectionassembly 402.

FIG. 4C illustrates an example external configuration of the releasablepower attachment of FIGS. 1A through 1D, including an energy-gatheringunit 401, in the context of several other components and a differentcoupling mechanism and configuration than FIGS. 4A and 4B. For instance,an energy-gathering unit 401 including a solar collection assembly 402,which includes a solar panel 1332, is illustrated in a configuration onone of the lateral surfaces of the swappable portion 102 b of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102.

In some configurations, an energy-gathering unit 401 can be arranged tobe part of the interface portion 102 a rather than the swappable portion102 b of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102. In someconfigurations, both arrangements are possible.

When an energy-gathering unit 401 is arranged to be part of theswappable portion 102 b, energy gathered by the energy-gathering unit401 can be used directly to power the power-consuming components of theenergy-gathering unit 401 and/or to charge a battery or otherenergy-storage device (such as capacitors or super-capacitors) containedwithin the swappable portion 102 b. Additionally, when anenergy-gathering unit 401 is arranged to be part of the swappableportion 102 b, energy gathered by the energy-gathering unit 401 can beused to make the swappable portion 102 b more free-standing orindependent, because such a configuration not only has a source ofenergy and energy storage, e.g. a battery, but it has a mechanism ofenergy gathering that can provide energy to be stored in said mechanismfor energy storage. This is particularly useful because in someconfigurations, the swappable portion 102 b can be used independentlyfor extended periods of time, for instance to be used as a camera modulethat is independent of the interface portion 102 a and of the wearabledata collection device 106 (in such configurations, the swappableportion 102 b also contains a mechanism for data storage).

In some configurations, an energy-gathering unit 401 can be arranged tointegrate directly with the wearable data collection device. Forinstance, an energy-gathering unit 401 may be configured to attachdirectly to an outer surface of a wearable data collection device. Forinstance in one implementation, an energy-gathering unit 401 may beconfigured in the form of a sticker or decal and can be placed directlyon an outer surface of a wearable data collection device, for instanceon the lateral surface of the existing battery pod or part of theinstrument arm, (e.g., such as in the example of Google Glass®, exploreredition).

Returning to FIG. 4C, additional components are illustrated that may bepart of some configurations, for instance a camera port 112 within whichis visible a camera lens 1344. Below the camera lens 1344 in thisillustrative example is a flash/flashlight/infra-red LED module 1346,and above the camera lens 1344 in this illustrative example is a motionsensor module 1342. Also illustrated is a removable memory module 1342.The mechanism of coupling between the interface portion 102 a andswappable portion 102 b of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus 102, in some configurations, can include a non-movinginsertable post 410 on one portion of the interface portion 102 a thatcouples with a receptacle 420 on the swappable portion 102 b.Furthermore, the interface portion 102 a, in some configurations, caninclude a moveable tooth 412 that can be moved by a button 414 and thismoveable tooth 412 can fit into a notched receptacle 422. When themoveable tooth 412 is inserted into the notched receptacle 422, in someconfigurations, it snaps into place and snugly holds together theinterface portion 102 a and swappable portion 102 b of the releasablepower attachment apparatus. Likewise, when the button 414 is pressed,the moveable tooth in some configurations moves for instance to decouplefrom the notched receptacle 422, thereby releasing the interface portion102 a from the swappable portion 102 b.

The present disclosure anticipates countless functionally similarmechanisms for coupling and decoupling the portions 102 a and 102 b andincorporates them herein. The key advantages of such a system includethe following. A.) The interface portion can be relatively uncomplex andinexpensive while the swappable portion 102 b can contain the battery aswell as other components such as an energy-gathering unit 401. B.) theinterface portion 102 a can have just enough circuitry to maintain aconnection with a wearable data collection device, for instance GoogleGlass® or future versions of Google Glass® or other wearable datacollection devices, for instance to maintain a connection by beingrecognized by the Android® system or other operating system as aperipheral device and thereby kept actively connected. This can beuseful so that some functionalities can be removed and replaced, such asan external battery or camera or data store or solar charge unit, yetwithout Android® or another operating system temporarily losing contactwith the peripheral unit as a whole. When such an operating system doeslose contact with a peripheral unit it can be difficult to re-establishcontact without a reboot, which is disruptive, and/or the re-establishedcontact may be somewhat different such as with a different address ordevice designation assigned internally. For this reason it isadvantageous to have enough circuitry and components in the interfaceportion in order to maintain the connection and yet still minimal inorder to reduce the cost. C.) The interface portion 102 a is the partthat must be configured specifically for a given host device such as thewearable data collection device, whereas the swappable portion 102 bneed only interface with the interface portion 102 a, for which it isdesigned. This means that a customer can readily invest in a wholecollection of swappable portions 102 b, for instance to have multiplespare batteries on hand and to have different sets of functions such asin some cases an additional camera and/or wireless charging and/or solarpower, as may be configured in variants of the swappable portion 102 bthat can be separately purchased. This is similar to the wayphotographers purchase multiple specialized lenses with partiallynon-overlapping features, reassured by knowing that all of them will fitinto a standard interface or coupling that is the common intermediarythat gives them access to an array of cameras. Similarly, a user canpurchase one interface portion 102 a for a given wearable datacollection device, and then purchase a multitude of swappable portions102 b, some alternatively configured perhaps or with varying features,at the same time or spread out over time. They will all work with theinterface portion 102 a and therefore with the wearable data collectiondevice. D.) Another advantage of this system, similarly, is that itallows for easy and affordable access to multiple or alternativewearable data collection devices. If a user obtains a future version ofGoogle Glass® or an alternative wearable data collection device 106 oranother base data collection device entirely, the investment in thesystem will still be worthwhile. That is to say, all the swappableportions 102 b can still be used, so long as an interface portion 102 ais provided that is compatible with the new wearable data collectiondevice. In some configurations, an interface portion 102 a is configuredto physically interface with an alternate wearable data collectiondevice, for instance in one of the ways described herein for interfacingwith a wearable data collection device, such as fitting directly on arim of an eyeglass-like device, or physically coupling to a data portsuch as a USB port, or other configurations. In this way, a user canremain part of the ecosystem of peripheral products represented here,and readily switch to a new wearable data collection device, by simplyacquiring a new interface portion 102 a.

An additional advantage of the example implementation in FIG. 4C is thatall of the protruding elements associated with physically coupling theinterface portion 102 a to the swappable portion 102 b are on theinterface portion 102 a, which means that the swappable portion has noprotrusions other than the data/power port such as the micro-USB maleplug in as illustrated. This supports one of the key functions of theswappable portion 102 b, which is that it can function as a standalonedevice. namely, it can be used to provide electricity to other devices,for instance the microUSB male plug can be inserted into microUSB femalereceptacles on smart phones or other devices (including those withcustom ports such as those made by Apple® Corporation, by way of a smalladapter). In this way, the swappable portions 102 b can be used tocharge phones and other devices, which gives them an additional set offunctions and therefore value. Likewise, the swappable portion 102 b canbe used to connect directly to a computing device or network, via thatsame data/power port such as a microUSB male plug, to upload anddownload data, to interact with onboard software, firmware anddiagnostics, to view or print or share media, or other reasonsassociated with connected multimedia devices.

That being said, in some configuration, protruding hardware can bearranged on the swappable portion 102 b so that the interface portion102 a is visually unencumbered when it is left without any swappableportion 102 b attached. Similarly, in some implementations, themechanism of physical coupling does not involve visually or physicallydistracting or encumbering pieces. This allows for another key featureof the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102.

Namely, the apparatus 102 does not have to be coupled to be in use. Thatis, the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 as a whole can beimplemented as only an interface portion 102 a, and in someimplementations is whole and complete without the presence of aswappable portion 102 b but simply with the ability to potentiallyconnect to or couple with a swappable portion 102 b. In this case, inimplementations involving Google Glass® for instance, the Glass® devicecan be worn and used with only the interface portion 102 a mounted onthe rim of Glass®.

In other embodiments, the two portions can be coupled but not physicallyin contact directly with each other. For instance, an implementation ofthe interface portion has a wire or can use the port such as a microUSBport to accept a wire. In this case, the swappable portion 102 b can beelsewhere on the body or nearby, with a thin USB wire for instance. Inthis way, the swappable portion 102 b can be larger than if connecteddirectly, and have more capabilities. The interface portion can beconnected directly to the microUSB port on the lower surface of Glass®,in such implementations (see in FIG. 4C, middle left). It can provide acomplete set of capabilities, even if it is also capable of providingmore when and if a swappable portion is attached in some manner.

Returning to FIG. 4C, the energy-gathering unit 401 is illustrated witha solar-collection assembly 402 as the outer and thus visible layer. Insome configurations there may be multiple layers to the energy-gatheringunit 401 that may or may not include a solar collection assembly 402.

FIG. 4D is an illustrative example of a multi-layer energy-gatheringunit 401, and visually explains the terminology used herein todistinguish amongst the various parts and levels of organization of anenergy-gathering unit. FIG. 4D is also a terminology legend, using theexample embodiment above as a prototype. FIG. 4D is provided to help thereader in understanding the several “unit”, “assembly” and “complex”designations, some of which are as subsets of each other.

The energy-gathering “unit” is the whole item, which can include one ormore energy-gathering “assemblies” such as a solar collection assembly402. An energy-gathering assembly such as a solar collection assembly402 can have multiple layers or components within it, such as a solarpanel 1332. When there are multiple energy-gathering assembliescombined, they together form one energy-gathering “complex”, which iscomposed of multiple assemblies, and yet which differs from the “unit”level because an energy-gathering unit is the whole item and may includeother components such as inert base layers that are not part of theenergy-gathering complex but which may be used to bind together theunit. See FIG. 4D for a visual legend to these distinctions.

In some embodiments, a solar collection assembly 402 can have multipleparts that fold out and create a larger surface area than the areaavailable on any surface of the wearable data collection device 106 orthe releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102.

In some embodiments, a solar collection assembly 402 can be detachedfrom the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 and connected bysome means of energy transfer such as a conductive wire. For instance, asolar collection assembly can be built into a hat, a visor, or otherclothing item, thereby adding large and conveniently placed solarcollection ability.

FIG. 4E is a schematic representation of an energy gathering unit 401,with the layers exploded in 3D. The layers are shown as if a roughlycircular core was cut and removed from a multi-layer energy-gatheringunit 401, so that the layers can be clearly seen. This is the depictionthat will be used for further embodiments, below. In this depiction thebottom layer is the unit substrate 478. Above it are several layers,which taken as a whole form the energy-gathering complex 468. Anenergy-gathering complex includes one or more energy-gathering assembly462, as well as assistive layers. In the embodiment represented in FIG.4E, there is only a first energy-gathering assembly 462 a, which may bea photovoltaic complex 484. Assistive layers include a backing layer 480between the unit substrate 478 and the first energy-gathering assembly462 a. Above that is an upper layer 468. This layer 468 embraces severalpossible layers including a one-way mirror layer 2536 but also othercoatings that can be positioned over a photovoltaic complex 484. Abovethat is a finish layer 466, which also can embrace several types oflayers including a reflective or refractive layer 2532.

FIG. 4I is a schematic representation of an energy-gathering unit 401,with the several layers from FIG. 4E further collapsed (though not drawnto scale), and with a second energy-gathering assembly 462 b interposedamongst the layers, below the first energy-gathering assembly 462 a. Inthe sections below, many variants of a second energy-gathering unit 462b are described.

Additional Examples of Energy-Gathering Unit—Other than Photovoltaics

Thus far, the energy-gathering units 401 that have been described onlyproduce electricity, and they do so based on sunlight, via thephotoelectric effect. The present technology contemplates a much broaderscope. The description has been constrained to photoelectric productionof electricity in order to focus on the detailed structure of oneembodiment of the present technology.

All of the permutations of the embodiment, as described above or below,for individual apparatuses or for networks, shall be considered asapplying to any of the further embodiments below of an energy-gatheringunit 401 but which utilize more than the photoelectric effect. In turn,all of those embodiments, as well as all of the categories of embodimentthat utilize more than the photoelectric effect, shall be considered asapplying to all the embodiments described much below.

The families of embodiments described in this section all can be thoughtof as iterations on energy-gathering unit 401 used to gather energy fromtheir environment in additional ways. These are schematicallyrepresented in FIG. 4E through 4J, and described below.

In these figures, the various layers, coatings, devices, or otherelements included or amended in each family of embodiments are schematicand not literal, in particular their thickness or extent are not drawnto scale. In particular their thickness is not to scale relative to thethickness of the unit substrate 478 nor relative to the thicknesses ofeach other layer or element.

Thermoelectric

FIG. 4F schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has, in addition to the photovoltaic complex484, a means for gathering energy in the form of electricity, via thethermoelectric effect. In these embodiments, a second energy-gatheringassembly 462 b is a thermoelectric complex 2610. A substance thatexhibits the thermoelectric effect (which has subtle variants) willdevelop a charge separation when one side of it is heated while theother side is cool relative to the heated side. The larger thetemperature separation, the larger the charge separation. In this way,if a thermoelectric substance is arranged such that a top surfacereceives an appreciable amount of heat, and a bottom surface is incontact with a relatively cool substance that has a high thermalconductivity and high heat capacity, then heat will be drawn awayefficiently from the bottom surface and the temperature separation willbe maintained and the thermoelectric substance will continue to generateelectricity, for instance all through the day.

The conditions of an energy-gathering unit 401 on a wearable device, areideal for thermoelectric generation. In an example embodiment (FIG. 4F,middle), a thermoelectric sheet 2614 is positioned beneath thephotovoltaic complex 484. Photovoltaic materials generate heat when inuse. The heat comes from light that is absorbed by the photovoltaicmaterial but is not converted to electricity by the photoelectriceffect. In this case, the operating heat 2612 transfers to the uppersurface of the thermoelectric sheet 2614. Meanwhile, the bottom surfaceof the thermoelectric sheet 2614 is continually exposed to relativelycool conditions 2616 by the inert plastic below. This heat differentialdrives the thermoelectric effect, especially the Seebeck effect, and anelectric charge is generated. Conductive leads 2618 are arranged toconduct this charge, and it is combined with output of any otherenergy-gathering assemblies 462 such as the photovoltaic assembly 484 inthis embodiment.

In another example embodiment (not mutually exclusive with the thermalconductor patch 2620 method), a heat sink assembly 2624 is arrangedbelow or at a short distance from the unit. The heat sink assembly 2624efficiently dissipates heat from the thermoelectric sheet, thus drivingthe thermoelectric effect. Heat is conducted to the heat sink assembly2624 from the underside of the thermoelectric sheet 2614 via a stalk2408 which is modified to contain a heat pipe 2622. The heat pipe is anextruded member alike a water pipe or a thick wire, made of orcontaining material(s) with high thermal conductivity. The material oranother member can flare outward from the stalk coupling junction tocreate a sheet under the thermoelectric sheet 2614, acting as a funnelfor heat, to conduct heat from the thermoelectric sheet 2614 into theheat pipe 2622.

Materials to be used for thermoelectric generation include allthermoelectric materials currently and to be developed, include leadtelluride, bismuth telluride, bimetallic junction material, carbonnanotube/polymer materials, graphene nanomaterials, and others.Thermoelectric generators are usually rigid structures. In the presenttechnology, the thermoelectric sheet can also be thin and flexible. Toachieve this, materials such as tellurides and graphene materials arecoated in a thin coat on a membrane, and the whole assemble can beflexed. Also, such materials can be arranged in a series of smallerstrips so that they flex past each other when the assembly is bent orperturbed. This can assist with the wiring/circuitry, as a plurality ofsmaller generators can be arranged in a circuit to address impedancelimitations. Future thermoelectric materials will have greaterefficiency and greater flexibility and are incorporated here.

Even after sunlight or other light is removed, some heat will remain inthe photovoltaic and other layers, and therefore these embodiments cangenerate electricity a little bit longer after dark than purephotovoltaic devices. This smoothing of the production time furtheracross the day-night cycle can be exaggerated if a heat reservoir isinterposed between the photovoltaic complex 484 and the thermoelectriccomplex 2610. This arrangement is of particular use in other embodimentscovered below, where the apparatus 2400 is larger and/or more rigid, andcan hide a larger heat reservoir.

Pyroelectric

FIG. 4G schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has, in addition to photovoltaic complex 484,a means for gathering energy in the form of electricity, via thepyroelectric effect. In these embodiments, the second energy-gatheringassembly 462 b is a pyroelectric complex 2626. Pyroelectric materialsgenerate an electrical charge whenever they are subjected a change intemperature. They do not need the temperature gradient thatthermoelectric species do but they do require changes in temperature.

In some example embodiments, the pyroelectric complex 2626 includes asheet of pyroelectric material 2628, and conductors 2618 arranged toconduct the charge generated by the sheet 2628.

Artificial pyroelectric materials can be made in a thin-filmconfiguration, which is beneficial for the present embodiments. Somepyroelectric materials that can be used include but are not limited to:polyvinylidene fluoride, gallium nitride, polyvinyl fluorides, cesiumnitrate, lithium tantalate (e.g., produced by the Czochralski method),cobalt phthalocyanine, PZT, triglycine sulfate, lead zirconate,strontium barium niobate, PVDF, barium titanate, lithium sulfatemonohydrate, and other pyroelectric materials.

During normal functioning, temperatures in energy-gathering units 401are likely to fluctuate and these fluctuations can be converted toelectricity by the pyroelectric complex 2626. Particularly, when passingcloud or passing shadows cause a decrease in sunlight and thus in theoutput of the photoelectric complex 484, a commensurate fluctuation inoperating temperature is converted to an increased output from thepyroelectrical complex 2626. Thus, the two subsystems complement eachother, especially when there are frequent fluctuations in illuminationsuch as on days with an abundance of “fair-weather” cumulus clouds inotherwise blue sky. Temperature changes related to proximity to a humanbody, and to physical activity, can also drive the pyroelectric effect.

Solar Thermal

FIG. 4H schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has, in addition to photovoltaic complex 484,a means for gathering energy in the form of heat, via thermal exchangeusing a fluid pumped into the unit structure unheated and returned to aheat-exchanger heated. In these embodiments, the second energy-gatheringassembly 462 b is a fluid-exchange solar thermal complex 2630. Theseembodiments are particularly well suited to larger units 401, such as inthe configurations discussed herein where a solar collection assembly402 is arranged distally, e.g. on a hat or other surface.

In some embodiments, the fluid-exchange solar thermal complex 2630includes a heat exchanger layer 2632, which in turn includes aspiral-tube heat exchange assembly 2634. Relatively cold fluid (e.g.water or other fluid—liquid or gas) is pumped into an intake tube 2636.The cold fluid circulates through the spiral piping of the heat exchangeassembly 2634, gradually being heated by the heat 2612 generated inoverlying layers. Eventually the fluid passes all the way through andexists the fluid output tube 2638. At this point in time, the exitingfluid carries with it usable heat. The heat in some embodiments is usedto heat the body of water in which it is placed, and in some embodimentsit is used in order to heat a home or a commercial structure, or inother ways impart its heat in a useful way. The piping of the heatexchanged 2634 is flexible and soft.

FIG. 6F schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has, in addition to photovoltaic complex 484,a means for gathering energy in the form of heat, via thermal conductionalong a heat pipe. In these embodiments, the second energy-gatheringassembly 462 b is a solid-state solar thermal complex 2640. Thesolid-state thermal complex 2640 includes a heat reservoir 2642 made ofsome solid or fluid material that can absorb a relatively large amountof heat.

Connected to the heat reservoir 2642, in this example embodiment, is aheat pipe assembly 2644. The heat pipe assembly can be integrated withinthe stalk 2408, as a flexible tube or pipe of a solid, gel, paste,liquid, gas, powder, or other substance, which can conduct heatsufficiently to draw it away from the heat reservoir and thereby draw itaway from heat-generating components of the unit 401 such as aphotovoltaic complex 484. The heat pipe assembly 2644 may include or beattached to a heat sink 2624 or similar heat disperser. The heat pipeassembly 2644 may conduct heat to a base unit such as the swappableportion 102 b, where it can be combined with heat drawn from otherstructures and there utilized. Heat may also be used for other purposessuch as to drive chemical reactions, to drive a Stirling engine, orother purposes.

Radio-Frequency (RF) and Other Electromagnetic Radiation

FIG. 4K schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has, in addition to photovoltaic complex 484,a means for gathering energy in the form of electricity, via analogreception of radio-frequency (RF) and other ambient electromagneticsignals (em). In these embodiments, the second energy-gathering assembly462 b is a radio-frequency (RF) and other em receiver and conversioncomplex 2646. Note that here the second assembly 462 b is placedphysically above the first assembly 462 a, because the second assembly462 b, as an em receiver and conversion complex 2646, a.) should not beblocked by the circuitry of a photovoltaic complex 484, and b.) can beconfigured to transmit a large proportion of incoming light.

Embodiments of an energy-gathering unit 401 that include an em receiverand conversion complex 2646 can be configured, in whole or in part, toharvest electromagnetic radiation that is found in our everydayenvironment, whether from natural or man-made sources. FIG. 4K, right,depicts a schematic representation of an energy-gathering unit 401 thatis an example energy-gathering unit for harvesting em radiation.

The energy-gathering unit 401, in this embodiment, has a series ofconductive filaments 2648 (which can be wires) that can act as an analogantenna/receiver. The conductive filament can be a so called “nantenna”which is a nanoscale antenna and can be printed directly onto asubstrate, in this case onto a layer of the leaf 401. Additionalembodiments employ wire “coils”, for instance in a flat annular coilarrangement on the surface layer of an em receiver and conversioncomplex.

Harvesting of em radiation can begin with receiving electromagneticsignals by way of the filament structures 2648. These signals areconducted to a rectifying and smoothing circuit 2654 by way of a wire2652. Next, DC electrical output is conducted from the rectifying andsmoothing circuit 2654 to downstream elements as described above, forinstance charge controller circuits, batteries, and inverters.

The conductive filaments 2648 can be fabricated from a wide variety ofconductive substances. Some embodiments utilize Mu Metal for thefilaments 2648, because it very efficiently channels magnetic fields andit can absorb RF very well. In this manner, mu metal is useful forachieving better energy harvesting, and also for better shielding.

Shielding in some cases is useful for protecting the device from whichemissions are being i for instance by creating a faraday screen for acomputer or other installation. Shielding in some cases is aboutprotecting the environment or people from emissions—for instance byabsorbing or shunting EM emissions from power substations. That is tosay, an installation of apparatuses 2400 that incorporate em receiverand conversion complexes 2646 into their energy-gathering units 401 canhave the effect of absorbing stray em radiation, and thereby protectingpeople, e.g. from cancer.

Fiber Optics and Other Light-Channeling

FIG. 4L schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has a means for gathering energy in the formof electricity, via the photovoltaic effect, but with a differentconfiguration than in previous embodiments. Namely, fiber optic cablesand/or light pipes are used to conduct sunlight away from the surface ofthe unit 401, and the light is converted to electricity in a remotelocation. The optical fibers within the energy-gathering unit 401,collectively, are considered an optical light-channeling complex 2658.

In some embodiments, the system uses light channeling to concentratereceived light onto photovoltaic cells. In one scheme, energy-gatheringunits 401 do not have any photovoltaic materials on them (note themissing photovoltaic complex 484 in FIG. 4L). Instead, fiber opticstrands 2660 transport light that hits the energy-gathering unit to thebase unit 2436, and the photovoltaic conversion of light to electricityis carried out there.

Referring to FIG. 4L, upper right, fiber optic strands 2660 originate ator near the outermost surface of the unit 401 and extend through andalong the inner layers of the unit 401. Such fiber optic strands 2660can transport light from all over the surface. Fiber endings 2662 arerepresented on a top surface of a representative unit 401, showing abroad and even distribution across the surface. An arbitrarily highnumber of optical fibers 2660 can be incorporated into the material of aunit 401 in the light-channeling complex 2658. On the bottom surface(noted in figure), the corresponding fibers extend from the widely andevenly distributed points toward a central region near the pad couplingjunction. This represents the first stage of aggregating light.

Fibers 2660 are organized into a fiber-optic bundle 2664, in this familyof embodiments. The fiber optic bundle 2664 can extend down a stalk2408, in conjunction with any electrical conductors/wires that may alsoextend down the stalk 2408. Additionally or alternatively, fibers 2660or the fiber optic bundle 2664 can terminate in a light tunnel 2666. Alight tunnel 2666 carries light the way a water pipe carries water. Ithas extremely highly reflective walls and thus can transport light withlittle loss, alike a very thick fiber-optic cable. An advantage of usinga light tunnel is that the fiber optic strands 2660 do not need to runthe entire length of the stalk 2408 (which, remember, is a variablelength). Another advantage is that a single light-conducting structurecan remain in place even while different pads 401 or otherenergy-gathering units 401 are attached or swapped. These measures canreduce cost, increase interchangeability of parts, increaseinteroperability, and/or allow greater flexibility in several ways.

A modified coupling junction 2428 is also represented in FIG. 4L. Themodified version of the coupling junction 2428 allows for coupling ofstalks 2408 and/or stalk extender segments 2424 that include bundles2664 of optical fibers. A modified coupling junction 2428 can also allowthe coupling of stalks 2408 and/or stalk extender segments 2424 thatinclude light tunnels 2666, in another type of embodiment. Thesecoupling junctions also connect whatever electrical wires mayconcurrently be in the stalks 2408.

Light is conducted down the stalk 2408 via the mechanisms above, andends up at the base unit 2436. Within the base unit 2436, in theseembodiments, light is conducted from the light tunnel 2666 or fiberoptic bundle 2664 of each stalk, through the base coupling junctions.From there it is conducted into an inner light chamber 2668 via opticalconnectors from the base coupling junctions to inner coupling junctionson the fiber light chamber. Combined light 2670 from all units 401 isintroduced into the light chamber 2668.

Light conversion is carried out in the light chamber 2668. For instance,a solar cell 2672 may be placed inside the light chamber 2668, in someembodiments. In other embodiments, the inside surface of the lightchamber is coated with thin-film photovoltaic materials, and wired upaccording to ordinary practice, such that current generated by thephotovoltaic material is conducted to usual downstream elements.

A light chamber 2668 in the present embodiments, namely a small unitworn on or about the head, would have to be small. However, otherembodiments may have more practical sizes and constraints. Furthermore,a light chamber can be arbitrarily far away from the light source, whichis one of its advantages. In this manner, it could be in a pack work ona belt or in a back-pack or as part of standard-issue clothing, or evenin a chamber in the sole of a shoe. Overall, there is flexibility as tolocation.

As stressed elsewhere, an apparatus 2400 can have multiple means ofgathering energy, from multiple sources. Accordingly, a base unit 2436that is modified to include a light chamber and the circuitry to harvestuseful energy from the resulting concentrated light can also still havecircuitry to handle output from other systems that are integrated intothe apparatus 2400 or energy-gathering units 401.

Accordingly the base unit 2436 in FIG. 4L, in various embodiments,includes electrical components that can be used for the output of boththe light-channeled photovoltaic system as well as other systems such anem receiver and absorption complex 2646. Such elements can include arectifier 2512, charge controller 2516, electricity storage device 2520,and/or inverter 2524, all connected by appropriate wires with both thelight chamber output and any electrical input coming from the stalks.

Current photovoltaic materials are low in efficiency but are improvingrapidly. Fiber optics and light tunnels are nearly perfectly efficient,and are not rapidly improving (except in cost). Therefore, it may beadvantageous, in some embodiments, to fashion the permanent parts of thesystem with the fully-mature and efficient components, the fiber optics,and to allow the relatively early-stage and evolving photovoltaic partto be replaceable in the future. In the future, photovoltaic materialsin the light chambers can be replaced, or for instance the entire baseunit 2436 can be replaced. Additionally, hiding the light chamber 2668out of site means that traditional solar cells and panels can be used,and they are generally cheaper, mostly due to scale. For instance, atraditional monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic cell or panel can beinserted into the light chamber in order to do the conversion toelectricity with the greatest simplicity and lowest cost.

FIG. 4M schematically represents a family of embodiments wherein theenergy-gathering unit 401 has a means for gathering energy in the formof heat, but with a different configuration than in previousembodiments. Namely, fiber optic cables and/or light pipes are used toconduct sunlight away from the surface of the unit 401, and the light isthere used to heat a substance.

This family of embodiments is similar to the one above, as described inreference to FIG. 4L. Therefore, the drawing and description here focussolely on those aspects that differ. Referring to FIG. 4M, again alllight collected by units 401 is combined in the light chamber 2668. Incontrast to the embodiments represented by FIG. 4L, the light chamber isused for gathering energy in the form of heat. Here, all means forgathering useful energy from heat as described above (for instance inreference to FIG. 4H and FIG. 4I) also apply to heat that may begenerated within the light chamber.

It is natural to combine the latter two families of embodiments, and forinstance to provide a system with a light chamber as above, havingphotovoltaic as well as heat-based means. For instance, the lightchamber can be lined with thin-film photovoltaic material and/or mayhave silicon solar cells within it. Beneath and near these can bethermoelectric and/or pyroelectric materials, arranged analogously towhat is described above. Furthermore, heat pipes and/or heat sinks canconduct remaining heat from the base unit. The heat can be used asdescribed above, for instance to heat the water in the immediatevicinity and/or to heat other structures or to drive chemical reactionsor the like.

Note that this system and all embodiments utilizing light-channeling canuse the light-channeling means in both directions. That is to say, thatlight introduced at the light chamber 2668 is conducted to the other endof fiber optic strands 2660. Therefore, some embodiments have a lightbulb or light-emitting diode placed in the light chamber or otherwise inan arrangement such that it can produce light that will reach the fiberoptic strands. In these embodiments, as an example, energy gatheredduring the day can be used in part to power a light-emitting device, andthe light can emanate to the surface of the energy-gathering unit 401for visual effect or for safety lighting or the like. Indeed, all ofthese embodiments are self-lighting and can provide safety lighting,decoration, signage, or other types and uses of lighting.

Such embodiments, as in all cases, can be combined with all the otheralternative embodiments described elsewhere, in any combination.

Combining and Integrating Multiple Means of Harnessing Energy from theEnvironment

In each of the families of embodiments represented in FIGS. 4D through4M, a single additional mode of energy-gathering is added to theenergy-gathering unit 401. A representative means for this mode isrepresented in addition to an embodiment of the basic photovoltaic means(photovoltaic complex 484) as described above. However, it should beunderstood that a.) the additional alternate energy-gathering means canstand on its own and a complete embodiment of the present technology maynot include a photovoltaic energy-gathering means, and b.) any givenalternate energy-gathering means can usually be combined and integratedwith one or a plurality of additional energy-gathering means asdescribed here, or other ones not described here.

That is to say, a single unit 401 might have three or four or more meansof gathering energy from the environment simultaneously. These areintegrated and form a harmonized energy-gathering unit 401. Within theenergy-gathering unit, the energy-gathering complex 468 is thecollection of all energy-gathering means, each of which is anenergy-gathering assembly 468. For instance a first energy-gatheringassembly 468 a may be a photovoltaic complex 484, and a secondenergy-gathering assembly 468 b may be a thermoelectric complex 2610,and a third energy-gathering assembly 468 c may be an em receiver andconversion complex 2646.

These energy-gathering assemblies (collectively 462) are integrated,along with assistive layers, forming the energy-gathering complex 468 ofthe total energy-gathering unit 401. For instance, a single conductinginfrastructure 2482 may be interposed between the first and secondassemblies 462 a and 462 b and utilized to conduct output electricity,in one embodiment. Likewise, the em complex 2646 and photovoltaiccomplex 484 may physically contact the thermoelectric complex 2610(directly or via heat pipes, for instance), thereby transferring to itthe heat that results from their incomplete conversion of incomingradiation (which would otherwise be wasted as heat output into theenvironment). In these example ways, the several energy-gatheringassemblies 462 within an energy-gathering unit 401 are not justphysically integrated but are functionally (e.g. electrically and/orthermally) integrated. Many other embodiments of the technology thatembrace multiple means of gathering alternative energy are alsosimilarly integrated. Additional examples of photovoltaic technology areavailable in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/646,082 (PublicationNo. 20130118550) entitled “Infrastructure for Solar Power Installations”and filed Oct. 5, 2012, hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second example internal configuration 500 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1Dincluding a near field communication component 502. Near-fieldcommunication (NFC) functionality can allow the apparatus 102 toexchange data with mobile devices using the NFC standard. It can also beused specifically to allow another device or device running an appdesigned for this purpose to harvest data collected by the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 102.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate example power cord configurations of a powercord component for use with the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus of FIGS. 1A through 1D. FIG. 6 illustrates one method oflinking an apparatus 102 to a device 106, namely with a power and datacord 702 that couples closely with the device 106 for instance byhugging the rim of a glasses form wearable data collection device 106.The power and data cord 702 can for instance be flat in configurationand can be adhered to the rim with a removable but strong adhesive 704and/or held in place by clips or stays 706 a. The power and data cordcan be connected to a power and data port on the device 106 such as amicroUSB port using a simple microUSB male connector ending of the cord708 or a microUSB port splitter 710, which can be permanently attachedto the power and data cord 702 or configured as a standalone piece thatthe cord 702 plugs into.

FIG. 7 illustrates one more method of linking apparatus 102 to device106, namely with a power and data lanyard cord 712 that is similar tothe cord 702 except that it is not attached closely to the device 106and thus passing around the front of the head, but rather it isconnected around the back of the head. In this way the lanyard cord actsas a lanyard or device to secure a pair of glasses or catch them if theyfall, and provide a comfortable and convenient storage place (hangingaround one's neck) when the glasses are removed. This is particularlyimportant for highly expensive and fragile glass-type wearable datacollection devices. The lanyard cord 712 is channeled via clips or stays706 b, for instance on the existing battery pod on a Google Glass®implementation, as illustrated, in order to provide stability.

Returning to FIG. 1B, the camera port 112, in some implementations,provides a rear view camera feature for the wearable data collectiondevice. The camera port, for example, may include a protectivetransparent covering to protect a camera lens, such as camera lens 1344of a releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 illustrated in FIG.13A. Turning to FIG. 13A, image data may be collected by a camera driverconnected to the camera lens 1344, for example included in the other I/Ointerfaces 1320 b of a peripheral control module 1320. The camera driverof the peripheral control module 1320 may in turn communicate with adata module 1310 to store image data (e.g., in a removable memory 1324),a communication module 1314 to communicate image data externally to thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus, and/or a wearable interfacemodule 1318 to communicate image data to the wearable data collectiondevice. For example, a software application interface 1318 a of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 may communicate a videofeed captured by the camera lens 1344 for display upon a heads updisplay feature of the wearable data communications device.

To enhance the camera feature of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the illumination port 120 a mayprovide rear view imaging illumination through one or more LEDs, such asone or more flashlight and/or infrared LEDs 1346 as illustrated in FIG.13A. Turning to FIG. 13A, in one example, flashlight LEDs 1346 may beused to provide pulsed or static illumination for lighting imagescaptured by the camera lens 1344. In another example, one or moreinfrared LEDs 1346 may be used to enable an infrared enabled cameradriver (e.g., I/O interface 1320 b) to function as a night visioncamera.

In some implementations, the motion sensor port 120 b of FIG. 1B may beused to trigger imaging activities based upon movements occurring behinda wearer of the wearable data communication device. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 13A, a motion sensor interface driver 1320 a mayanalyze data collected by a motion sensor element 1342 presented at themotion sensor port 120 b to identify objects or individuals approachingthe wearer of the wearable data collection device 106 from behind. Inone example, based upon identification of a potential threat (e.g., afast moving car approaching a jogger or bicyclist donning the wearabledata collection device), the sensor interface 1320 a may supply imagedata and/or warning signals to the wearable data collection device 106(e.g., via the software application interface 1318 a of the wearableinterface module 1318) to draw the attention of the wearer to thepotential threat.

FIG. 8A illustrates an additional type of sensor that is an optionalpart of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102. The sensoris here termed an antenna sensor 802 and it allows sensing (andprojection) of electromagnetic radiation such as but not limited tohuman-perceptible or visible light, where gathering (or projection) ofem radiation such as light takes place in a physically different placethan the sensing (or generation) of em radiation such as light. This hasan advantage that, for instance, em sensing (or projection) can takeplace in a location or configuration that would be hostile orinaccessible to the apparatus needed to sense (or generate) em radiationsuch as light. It also has the advantage of greatly reducing cost anddevice size, especially when the sensing (or projection) includes emradiation from multiple directions, such as would normally requiremultiple sensors or generators, since the nature of the antenna sensor802 is that only one sensor or generator is required.

In one family of embodiments, for instance, an antenna sensor 802 mayinclude a conductive stalk 804 that can conduct visible light and someother em radiation. In some configurations, the conductive stalk 804 canbe composed of optical fibers. The conductive stalk 804 may be packeddensely along much of its length, in some embodiments, and have a planarunwinding zone 806, where individual conductive elements such as opticalfibers are separated from the dense configuration of the conductivestalk 806 into a pattern whereby the endings of the conductive elementsform a 2D configuration such as a plane or a surface of some shape thatmay be close to planar. In some embodiments, the planar unwinding zone806 terminates on an order-preserving planar surface substrate 808 thatfixes the location of the endings of the individual conductive elementsacross physical space and preserves their location. For instance,optical fibers may be spread out onto a plane and rooted in place in anoptically transparent plastic and configured so that they pointperpendicular to the plane of the plastic, in one type of embodiment.

A conductive stalk 804 may be arbitrarily long. In FIG. 8A, the variablelength is indicated by an ellipsis cut 810.

In some embodiments, for instance, the conductive stalk 804 may have aspherical unwinding zone 812, where individual conductive elements suchas optical fibers are separated from the dense configuration of theconductive stalk 806 into a pattern whereby the endings of theconductive elements form a 2D configuration such as approximates theinner surface of a sphere or a segment of a sphere. In some embodiments,the spherical unwinding zone 812 terminates on an order-preservingspherical surface substrate 814 that fixes the location of the endingsof the individual conductive elements across physical space andpreserves their location. For instance, optical fibers may be spread outonto roughly the inner surface of a sphere and rooted in place in anoptically transparent plastic and configured so that they pointperpendicular to the curved surface of the plastic, in one type ofembodiment.

In this manner, the individual conductive elements in such an embodimentare arranged to point outward perpendicularly in all directions, 360degrees in all directions, or in some subset of those directions asdescribed by some portion of a spherical surface.

As a result, in the case of visible light, light that arrives from anydirection in a globe configuration around the point where the sphericalsurface substrate 814 is located, can be conducted by the conductivestalk 804, then reorganized to project onto a 2D planar surface (at theplanar surface substrate). Thus light from the entire visual space inall directions can be carried remotely and transformed into a singlerectangle of light.

In this way, if the em/light is pure luminance information from theworld surrounding the gathering (or projection) end, then at the otherend can be a rectangular map of luminance values—cataloging the entiresky and scene for instance, but arranged conveniently into a rectangleor similar simple surface. If the em/light is organized and patterned atthe gathering (or projection) end, for instance focused by an array oflenses, in some embodiments, then not just luminance but an image willbe presented to the individual conductive elements at the sphericalsurface substrate 814. Likewise, the image information will betransmitted along the conductive stalk 804, and rearranged at the planarunwinding zone 806 and planar surface substrate 808. In this way, animage of the entire visible world or scene can be relayed to a singlerectangular surface, in some embodiments.

If an image sensor such as is found in a typical digital camera isarranged at the planar substrate 808, then it can detect an image with asingle sensor, and remote from the point of acquisition but in realtime, an image that corresponds to a full ‘photosphere’ view of theentire world or visual scene.

This means that the point of acquisition (the gathering end) does notrequire a whole array of cameras, which would be extremely expensive andvolumetrically large as well as heavy. Rather, only a small dense globeof optical fibers, for instance, may be necessary.

Additionally, a lens array 818 comprised of lenses 816 pointed in manydirections, would facilitate patterning of the em/light at the gatheringend, to form images.

This configuration has some similarities to a compound eye 820 but alsodiffers markedly.

Antenna sensors 802 can be configured, for instance, in telescoping arms822 so that they can be less conspicuous when in retracted configuration822 a and yet more useful (as in a periscope) when in extendedconfiguration 822 b.

In the case of conductive stalks 804 made of optical fibers, theconduction of em/light is two-directional. Therefore, animage-projection device placed at the planar substrate 808 will resultin an image being emanated from the gathering (or projecting) end.

Transmission in both directions can happen at the same time.

In some configurations, optical fibers are arranged at the planarsubstrate 808 with a rigorous and orderly spatial relationship to theirarrangement at the spherical substrate 814. This would be more effortfuland expensive to manufacture, but would result in a more easilyinterpretable planar image and mapping to the spherical world, and lessscrambling, which means a lower-resolution image sensor would be neededto recover the image. However, even in a disorganized transform due toscrambling of the optical fibers, calibration will be possible, todetermine the transform, pixel by pixel, of the planar image (orluminance map) to the spherical image (or luminance map).

FIG. 8B illustrates representative embodiments where the antenna sensor802 is integrated into the swappable portion 102 b, which would containa separate luminance or image sensor, and FIG. 8C illustrates someexample embodiments where the antenna sensor is integrated into therear-view camera 1344 via a coupling that can be detachable.

Turning to FIG. 9A, a flow chart illustrates an example method 900 foridentifying and responding to an emergency or threat using a wearabledata collection device 106 with a releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus having a rear-view camera feature, such as the camera lens 112of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 102 described inrelation to FIG. 1B or the antenna sensor 802 described in relation toFIG. 8A.

In some implementations, the method 900 begins with receiving one ormore rear-facing camera images (902). The images, for example, may bereceived by a software algorithm executing upon a CPU 1308 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 of FIG. 13A. In anotherexample, the images may be received by a software algorithm executingupon a wearable data collection device. Furthermore, in otherembodiments the images may be received by a software algorithm executingupon a computing device, such as a network server, smart phone, or othernetworked computing device in communication with a wearable datacollection device 106 and/or the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus connected thereto. The images, for example, may be captured bya camera driver feature of a releasable peripheral attachment apparatusconnected to a wearable data collection device 106 or a camera driverfeature of the wearable data collection device 106 itself. In aparticular example, the camera driver I/O interface 1320 b generatesimages from image data captured by the camera lens 1344 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302, as illustrated in FIG.13A. The images, in some example, may be captured continuously,periodically, and/or upon receipt of a software trigger. In a firstexample of a software trigger, a light sensor interface 1320 a mayreceive light sensor data from light sensor 1342 and provide the lightsensor data to a software algorithm which classifies one or morequalities of the light sensor data as being indicative of headlampsapproaching the wearer of the wearable data collection device 106 frombehind and triggers the camera driver I/O interface 1320 b to captureimages of the suspected approaching vehicle. Similarly, a noise sensorinterface 1320 a may receive noise data from one or more externallydirected microphones 1342 a, as illustrated in FIG. 13B, and provide thenoise data to a software algorithm which classifies one or morequalities of the noise data as being indicative of a vehicle orindividual approaching the wearer of the wearable data collection device106 from behind and triggers the camera driver I/O interface 1320 b tocapture images of the suspected approaching threat. Further, a motionsensor interface 1320 a may receive motion sensor data from one or morerear-facing motion sensors (e.g., via the motion sensor port 120 bdescribed in relation to FIG. 1B) and provide the motion sensor data toa software algorithm which classifies one or more qualities of themotion sensor data as being in indicative of a vehicle or individualapproaching the wearer of the wearable data collection device 106 frombehind and triggers the camera driver I/O interface 1320 b to captureimages of the suspected approaching threat. In another example, analysisof two or more sensor data sources may contribute to a software trigger(e.g., noise plus motion, light plus noise, etc.).

In some implementations, the one or more rear-facing camera images arecompared to one or more previously received images (904). For example,an analysis algorithm executing on the peripheral control module 1320 ofFIG. 13A, wearable data collection device, and/or a computing devicecommunicatively networked thereto may analyze one or more newlycollected images in view of one or more stored images (e.g., storedwithin a memory 1306 and/or a removable memory 1324 of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 1302) to identify one or more objects orindividuals captured within the images. In another example, as theperipheral control module 1320 captures image data, the peripheralcontrol module 1320 may share image data with a wearable data collectiondevice 106 via the software application interface 1318 a, and thewearable data collection device 106 may perform image analysis. Further,the camera interface 1320 a may share collected image data with anexternal computing device via a communication module 1314 (e.g., usingnetwork controller 1314 a to transmit image data via an internetconnection 1336 or using an NFC controller 1314 b to transmit image datato an NFC receiver 1338, etc.), and the networked computing device mayperform image analysis.

In some implementations, if image comparison does not result indetection of an object approaching the wearer from behind (906), themethod 900 continues to receive and review further image data (902). Inother implementations, the method 900 may terminate and await receipt ofa software trigger to perform additional image analysis.

If, instead, comparison results in detection of an object approachingthe wearer from behind (906), in some implementations, the image data isanalyzed to determine whether the approaching object is a human (or,optionally, a dog or other potentially threatening animal) (908). Forexample, form analysis, facial analysis, and/or movement analysis may beused to identify the approaching object as a person. In someimplementations, identification of an approaching object as a humaninvolves providing one or more still images and/or video snippets to anetwork-accessible analysis algorithm. For example, a cloud-based imageanalysis engine, accessible to the wearable data collection device 106or the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus connected thereto viaa wireless communication network, may communicate with the softwarealgorithm performing the method 900 to review a video feed to identify ahuman approaching the wearer.

In some implementations, if comparison results in detection of an objectapproaching the wearer from behind (906), the image data is analyzed todetermine whether the approaching object is moving at great speed (910).Speed analysis, for example, may identify wheeled vehicles such as abicyclist, motorcyclist, car or truck. In further examples, speedanalysis may identify flying shrapnel or other objects such as abaseball. Size comparison of objects captured by the camera imagesrelative to time of capture, for example, may indicate speed of theapproaching object.

In some implementations, if an individual and/or a high speed object isdetected on a trajectory towards the wearer (908, 910), a rear-facingvideo feed is presented to the wearer of the wearable data collectiondevice 106 (912). For example, the peripheral control module 1320 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 may supply the heads updisplay of a wearable data collection device 106 with a real time datafeed via the wearable interface module 1318. Rather than a video feed(for example to preserve battery or processing power), in otherimplementations, one or more images may be presented to the user.

In some implementations, a determination is made whether the object is athreat (914). Identification of a threat, for example, may be based atleast in part upon a nearness of the object. For example, an object ontrajectory within thirty feet of the wearer may be less of an imminentthreat than an object trajectory within ten feet of the wearer. If theobject is a human, in some embodiments, the image data may be analyzedto identify whether a potential attacker is approaching the wearer. Insome examples, gait, incident of approach, and/or facial expression maybe further analyzed to discern a threat from a friendly passerby. Forexample, the movements and facial expression of an attacker may differin recognizable ways from the movements of a jogger. As discussed above,in some embodiments a cloud-based image analysis engine may beconfigured to analyze behaviors of the human, such as facial analysis,gait analysis, and/or body language to identify potentially threateningbehavior. In another example, the image analysis engine may beconfigured to analyze an identified human to identify one or morepotential weapons upon the human's person. Further, the softwarealgorithm of the method 900 and/or the cloud-based image analysis enginemay consider one or more factors, such as time of day, additionaltraffic nearby, and/or current weather conditions in performing threatanalysis. For example, a fast moving car thirty feet away on a dry roadduring a sunny day may be considered less threatening than a fast movingcar thirty feet away in dark, rainy, and/or icy conditions.

If a threat is identified (914), in some implementations, at least onestill image is collected of the threat (916). In the example of anoncoming vehicle, the still image may be captured to obtain a licenseplate. In the example of a potential attacker, the still image may becaptured to obtain characteristics for use in later identification(e.g., facial features, tattoos, hair color, etc.). A softwarealgorithm, for example, may be used to focus on particular featuresbased upon the type of threat (e.g., license plate region vs. faceregion). In some implementations, infrared illumination (e.g., frominfrared LEDs 1346 as described in relation to FIG. 13A) is used to takea night vision image of a suspected attacker without alerting theattacker to the image capture. In other implementations, flash LEDs 1346may be used to obtain a clearer image of the imminent threat.

In some implementations, communications regarding the perceived threatare issued to one or more emergency contacts (918). For example, toseparate the still image identification from the wearer in case ofdevice damage or kidnapping, a copy of the still image may be providedto one or more remote locations (e.g., text to an emergency contactnumber, email to an emergency contact account, etc.). Further, a presentlocation (e.g., derived from a positioning feature such as a GPS element1322 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus illustrated inFIG. 13A), time, and/or nature of the threat may be provided in lieu ofand/or in addition to the still image.

In some implementations, confirmation of emergency status is obtained(920). In a first embodiment, sensor data obtained from one or moresensors of the wearable data collection device 106 and/or the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus may be analyzed to identify injury tothe wearer. For example, motion sensors may identify that the wearer hasbeen struck or has fallen or that the wearable data collection device106 has separated from the wearer. In another embodiment, the user mayissue an emergency cue, such as a panic word or phrase received via oneor more audio input elements (e.g., such as the microphones 1342 of thereleasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 as illustrated in FIG.13B) and analyzed using a voice recognition software algorithm,selection of a user input (e.g., via a touch or gesture commandinterface), or activation of a cuing mechanism accessible remotely fromthe wearable data collection device 106 (e.g., a panic button inputavailable upon a wrist computing device, smart phone computing device,or other portable computing device external to the wearable datacollection device).

If an emergency is confirmed (920), in some implementations, anemergency response routine is activated (922). The emergency responseroutine may collect data helpful in locating the wearer (e.g., in caseof kidnapping), presenting evidence of an attack to authorities (e.g.,in future litigation), and/or analyzing health conditions (e.g., toalert medical professionals to potential problems). Multiple emergencyresponse routines may be applicable based upon the presentcircumstances. For example, video obtained prior to, during, and afterthe emergency situation (e.g., altercation, collision, etc.) may besupplied to a remote location for safe keeping and later review.Further, video may be issued in real time to a third party (e.g., aparent, caretaker, medical professional, or security professional) foranalysis and response strategy. Should the wearer be removed from thescene (e.g., kidnapped), a tracking emergency response routine may placethe wearable data collection device 106 is a power preservation patternto extend battery as long as possible while issuing periodiccommunications regarding position and/or status of the individual. Oneemergency response routine may involve enabling an emergency call tolocal authorities, such as a 911 call for aid. In the event that thewearer is unconscious, the wearable data collection device 106 may“call” for aid within the immediate vicinity (e.g., via a speakerelement of the wearable data collection device) and/or issue a report toemergency authorities including data regarding the emergency event. Ifthe wearable data collection device 106 includes and/or is incommunication with biometric sensors, an emergency response routine mayinvolve obtaining biometric data regarding the health of the individual(e.g., heart rate and/or breathing rate data 1106 e, EEG data 1106 f,EMG data 1106 i, temperature data 1106 a or other biometric status dataas described in relation to FIG. 11) and analyzing the biometric data toidentify one or more potential health concerns.

Although described as a series of steps, in other implementations, themethod 900 may be performed with one or more steps removed and/or one ormore additional steps included. For example, in another embodiment,rather than collecting a still image of a threat (916), the method maybe used to retain a video segment of a perceived threat. Further, if thewearer is already using the camera element for a rear-facing video feed(e.g., actively monitoring while bicycling or jogging, etc.), step 912may be skipped or modified (e.g., drawing the wearer's attention to therear-facing video feed, for example with a flashing indicator, audiblealert, or other attention-grabbing output). In further implementations,steps of the method 900 may be performed in an order different than theone portrayed in FIG. 9A. For example, the method 900 may be altered todetermine whether an object is moving at great speed (910) prior toidentifying whether the object is human (908). In a further example, insome implementations, communicating with one or more emergency contactsregarding the perceived threat (918) may be part of the emergencyresponse routine activated upon confirmation of a threat (922). Othermodifications are possible while remaining within the scope and spiritof the method 900.

In some implementations, a head-mounted camera element, such as thecamera feature of a wearable data collection device 106 such as GoogleGlass™, the rear view camera feature of the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus described in relation to method 900 of FIG. 9A orthe antenna sensor feature 802 discussed in relation to FIG. 8A, may beused to create panoramic and 360° images. FIGS. 9A and 9B describemethods for producing panoramic and 360° images based upon motion datarelated to the head rotation of the wearer of a head-mounted cameradevice.

A flow chart of FIG. 9B illustrates an example method 930 for capturingimages and corresponding head rotation coordinates using a head-mountedcomputing device with a camera feature. The head-mounted computingdevice may include two or more camera elements, such as a forward-facingcamera element and a rear-facing camera element. For example, method 930may be used with a wearable data collection device 106 having aforward-facing (e.g., wearer's viewpoint) camera element as well as areleasable peripheral attachment apparatus connected to the wearabledata collection device 106 having a rear-facing camera element. Imagescaptured using the method 930 may later be stitched together, based uponcaptured head position coordinates, to create panoramic, cylindrical,and/or semispherical images. At least portions of the method 930, forexample, may be performed by a software algorithm executing upon the CPU1308 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 of FIG. 13A.In another example, at least portions the method 930 may be performed bya software algorithm executing upon a wearable data collection device.Furthermore, in other embodiments at least portions of the method 900may be performed by a software algorithm executing upon a computingdevice, such as a network server, smart phone, or other networkedcomputing device in communication with a wearable data collection device106 and/or the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus connectedthereto.

In some implementations, the method begins with identifying the captureof one or more images by respective head-mounted camera device(s) (932).The images are captured at a first head position at approximately thesame time. The images, for example, may be captured by a camera driverfeature of a releasable peripheral attachment apparatus connected to awearable data collection device 106 and/or a camera driver feature ofthe wearable data collection device 106 itself. In one example, theimages may include a first image captured by a forward-facing camera anda second image captured by a rear-facing camera.

In some implementations, motion data corresponding to time of imagecapture is obtained from one or more head mounted sensors (934). Forexample, sensor data may be obtained from one or more accelerometers,gyroscopes, magnetometers, gravity sensors, and/or linear accelerometerspositioned about the head of the wearer (e.g., connected to or otherwisein communication with a wearable data collection device). In aparticular example, one or more sensor interfaces 1320 a may derivesensor data from one or more motion sensors 1342 of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 1302 and supply the motion sensor datato a software algorithm executing the method 930. The data may becommunicated, for example, to the CPU 1308 of the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus 1302, to a wearable data collection device 106 viathe software application interface 1318 a of the wearable interfacemodule 1318, or to a remote computing device via the communicationmodule 1314 (e.g., to NFC receiver9s) 1338 or via the internet 1336).

In some implementations, the motion data is analyzed to derive initialhead position coordinates (936). Determining an initial head position ofa wearer of a wearable data collection device, for example, may involveidentifying a first measurement or measurement range of motion sensorsas the initial head position. The initial head position coordinates maybe used as a zeroing point for a coordinate system identifying relativerotation of the wearer's head during subsequent image capture by thecamera element(s).

In some implementations, the initial head position coordinates arecorrelated with the captured image(s) (938). For example, the softwarealgorithm may store the initial coordinates as a metadata portion of theimage file (e.g., stored within a memory 1306 and/or a removable memory1324 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302, stored upona non-transitory computer readable medium of the wearable datacollection device, or stored upon a non-transitory computer readablemedium accessible to the wearable data collection device 106 via anetwork connection). In another example, the software algorithm maystore the initial coordinates as a database entry associated with theimage file(s). The initial coordinates, in some embodiments, may furtherinclude an indication of a camera element used to capture at the initialcoordinates (e.g., rear-facing vs. front-facing camera, etc.).

In some implementations, the method 900 includes an automated orsemi-automated panoramic mode for capturing a set of images encompassinga cylindrical or semispherical (e.g., 360°) view of a vicinitysurrounding the wearer of the wearable data collection device. Ifpanoramic mode is activated (940), in some implementations, the headrotation of the wearer is tracked via subsequently collected motion datato identify an approximate 90° movement (942). For example, to obtain a360° view of a vicinity surrounding the wearer, forward and rear facingcameras can obtain a first (forward/backward) set of images and a second(left/right) set of images, where the second set of images are capturedwhile the wearer's head is rotated at approximately 90° offset from aneutral head position (e.g., looking along a left or right shoulder).

Upon identifying desired head rotation, in some implementations, theuser is cued to cease movement (944). For example, for increasesharpness of image capture, the user may be prompted to remain still toallow the camera element(s) to focus prior to image capture. The cue, insome examples, may include one or more of a visual, audible, and/orhaptic cue. In a particular example, the user may first be cued to turnher head via a directional arrow presented upon a heads up displayregion of the wearable data collection device. The directional arrow maychange (e.g., shorten, shrink, etc.) based upon closeness to a goal headrotation. Upon reaching the desired head rotation, the wearer may bepresented with a cue to halt movement (e.g., stop sign graphic, graphicindicating success of desired motion, etc.).

In some implementations, one or more second images are captured (946).If the method 930 is performed in automated panoramic mode, the method930 may activate capture of the second image(s). For example, thesoftware algorithm executing the method 930 may issue a command to theperipheral control module 1320 to activate image capture via the cameralens 1344 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302illustrated in FIG. 13. In other embodiments, the wearer may activatecapture of the second image(s), for example via a user input mechanismof the wearable data collection device.

In some implementations, motion data corresponding to the second imagecapture is identified (948). For example, sensor data obtained from theone or more head-mounted sensors having a timestamp contemporaneous withcapture of the second image(s) may be identified. The motion data, forexample, may be obtained as described in relation to step 934.

In some implementations, the motion data is analyzed to derivesubsequent head position coordinates (950). The motion data, forexample, may be analyzed in light of the motion data corresponding tothe initial head position coordinates to determine offset head positioncoordinates. In a particular example, the software algorithm may accessimage metadata of the first image(s) to identify initial positioningdata (e.g., coordinates and/or sensor data corresponding to the initialhead position). The software algorithm may determine an offset basedupon the current motion data and the initial positioning data.

In some implementations, the subsequent head position coordinates arecorrelated with the second image(s) (952). The subsequent head positioncoordinates, for example, may be correlated with the second image(s) inthe manner described in relation to step 938.

Although described as a series of steps, in other implementations, themethod 930 may be performed with one or more steps removed and/or one ormore additional steps included. For example, in another embodiment,rather than cuing the wearer to cease movement (944), the method 930 mayautomatically capture second image(s) (946) upon identifying theapproximate 90° movement. In further implementations, steps of themethod 930 may be performed in an order different than the one portrayedin FIG. 9B. For example, the method 930 may be altered to analyze motiondata to derive initial head position coordinates (936) prior toidentifying image(s) captured with the head-mounted camera device(s)(932). In a further example, in some implementations, if only one cameraelement is used, panoramic mode may involve iteratively tracking headrotation (942) and capturing images (946) to obtain a series of three ormore images (e.g., front, right, back, left). Further, rather thanobtaining a cylindrical rotation of the wearer's gaze, the method 930may be modified to enable the user to obtain a bottom-to-top panoramicimage (e.g., of a skyscraper, mountain, or other object encompassinggreater neck tilt gaze rotation than a neutral head position). Othermodifications are possible while remaining within the scope and spiritof the method 930.

Turning to FIG. 9C, a flow chart illustrates an example method 960 forcreating a panoramic, semispherical, or 360° image using a head-mountedcamera device. The image, for example, may encompass at least a portionof a cylindrical or spherical view based upon two or more imagescaptured during rotation of the head of the wearer of a head-mountedcamera device. In one example, the images used by the method 960 werecaptured using the method 930 described in relation to FIG. 9B.

In some implementations, the method 960 begins with obtaining a firstimage and first head position data corresponding to capture of the firstimage (962). The first head position data, for example, may includesensor data from one or more motion sensors, such as one or moreaccelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, gravity sensors, and/orlinear accelerometers positioned about the head of the wearer (e.g.,connected to or otherwise in communication with a wearable datacollection device) measured at time of capture of the first image by acamera element connected to or otherwise in communication with awearable data collection device. Additionally or conversely, the firsthead position data may include a set of coordinates derived throughanalysis of the sensor data. In a particular example, the first headposition data may include coordinate data derived from sensor datacollected by one or more sensor interfaces 1320 a corresponding to oneor more motion sensors 1342 of the releasable peripheral attachmentapparatus 1302. The first head position data, for example, may identifya neutral position or initial position of the head of a wearer duringcapture of multiple images for generating a panoramic image. Further,the first head position data may identify an orientation of the cameraupon the wearable data collection device 106 (e.g., a forward positionedcamera element, a rear positioned camera element, an elevated antennasensor 802 element, etc.). In some embodiments, the first head positiondata is supplied as a metadata portion of an image file.

In some implementations, a second image and second head position datacorresponding to the capture of the second image are obtained (964). Thesecond head position data is obtained in a similar manner as describedin relation to step 964 and includes similar information. The secondhead position data, for example, may correspond to an offset from thefirst head position data. For example, the second head position data maybe indicative of a rotation and/or tilt of the head of the wearer fromthe first head position.

In some implementations, a respective stitching seam is determined oneach of the first and second images based upon the first and second headposition data (966). The respective stitching seams, for example, maycorrespond to a line of adjacency or overlap between the first image andthe second image. For example, based upon an angle of rotation from thefirst head position and a scope of the camera element used to capturethe images, a point of adjacency or overlap may be identified. In someimplementations, if no adjacency is identified, the method 960 may exitwith an error (e.g., images unable to be used to produce a panoramicimage).

In some implementations, the second image is captured with a differentcamera element than the first image. For example, to obtain a 360° viewof a vicinity surrounding the wearer, forward and rear facing camerascan obtain a first (forward/backward) set of images and a second(left/right) set of images, where the second set of images are capturedwhile the wearer's head is rotated at approximately 90° offset from aneutral head position (e.g., looking along a left or right shoulder). Inthis circumstance, to stitch the an image captured by the forwardpositioned camera to an image captured by the rear positioned camera, ifthe two camera elements capture different scope images the differingimage scope can be factored in to determine a stitching seam.

In some implementations, the first image is stitched to the second imageat the stitching seam to create a panoramic image (968). The panoramicimage, for example, may be generated using panoramic image generationtechniques known in the art.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example method 1000 for capturing andstoring secure data using a wearable data collection device 106 with areleasable power attachment apparatus. Through the method 1000, adefault network upload mechanism on a wearable data collection device106 may be intercepted, allowing the wearable data collection device 106to encrypt collected data and/or store the data locally rather thanallowing the data to be transmitted to a remote cloud storage location.The method 1000, in a particular example, may be used to bypass thestandard data sharing mechanism of a Google Glass™ device, allowing amedical professional to utilize the Google Glass device during a patientprocedure without compromising patient privacy.

In some implementations, the method 1000 begins with receiving a requestto enter a secure data mode (1002). The request, in some embodiments,may be issued by a software application designed for functionality withthe secure data mode algorithm. Upon entering the software application,for example, any data collected via input elements of the wearable datacollection device 106 may be directed to the method 1000 by launchingthe secure data capture mode from within the application. In aparticular example, a software application may be designed for medicalprofessionals to support an operating room video conferencing sessionwith a remote specialist or remotely located trainees. In otherembodiments, the user may activate a control to enter secure datacapture mode separate from any particular software application executingat the time of or subsequent to issuance of the request to enter securedata capture mode. For example, a researcher working on a classifiedproject may enter secure data capture mode to collect images and audiblenotes regarding an experiment without allowing the data to upload to aremote cloud-based storage network.

In some implementations, while in secure data capture mode, a networkdata stream of data captured by the wearable data collection device 106is redirected for processing upon a releasable attachment apparatus(1004). A data connection established between the releasable attachmentapparatus and the wearable data collection device, for example, may beused to redirect the data stream from the wearable data collectiondevice 106 to the releasable attachment apparatus. The connection, insome examples, may include a USB interface such as a USB port interface1316 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302 illustratedin FIG. 13A, a near field communication interface such as the NFCcontroller 1314 b of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus1302, or a wireless network interface such as the network controller1314 a of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302. The datastream, in a particular example, may be captured by the I/O captureinterface 1318 b of the wearable interface module 1318 of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 1302 via a USB connection between USBreceiver(s) 1340 of the wearable data collection device 106 and the USBport interface 1316 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus1302. The I/O capture interface 1318 b, for example, may override orspoof an I/O data stream receiver of the wearable data collectiondevice.

In some implementations, if encryption is desired (1006), encryption isapplied to the redirected network data stream (1008). A request forencryption, for example, may be received along with the request to entersecure data capture mode. In other embodiments, encryption may beactivated through a general user setting or, in further embodiments,data encryption may always be activated as a standard element of themethod 1000. The method 1000 may use any encryption scheme known in theart such as, in some examples, a symmetric key encryption algorithm, apublic key encryption algorithm, file-based encryption algorithm,storage region encryption algorithm, and/or other data cipher mechanism.

In some implementations, it is determined whether the data is to bestored locally (1010). Similar to the decision regarding dataencryption, in some embodiments, a request for redirection to aparticular storage location may be received along with the request toenter secure data capture mode. In other embodiments, a default storagelocation may be activated through a general user setting or, in furtherembodiments, a particular storage location, may automatically beactivated as a default (or hard-coded) storage location of the method1000.

If the data is to be stored locally (1010), in some implementations, thedata is stored on an internal storage medium and/or a removable storagemedium of the releasable attachment apparatus (1012). In some examples,the local storage medium may include a removable storage medium (e.g., aremovable SIM 1326 or other removable memory 1324 of the releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 1302 of FIG. 13A), or a built in memorylocation of the releasable attachment apparatus (e.g., the memory 1306of releasable peripheral attachment apparatus 1302).

If, instead, the data is to be stored remotely (1010), in someimplementations, the data is transferred to a remote storage medium(1014). For example, the data may be transferred by a communicationmodule of the releasable attachment apparatus to an external storagelocation in wired or wireless communication with the releasableattachment apparatus. In some examples, the remote storage location maybe a network accessible memory (e.g., accessible via a networkconnection such as the Internet 1336 as illustrated in FIG. 13A), a nearfield communication accessible memory (e.g., accessible via a near fieldcommunication link as provided by the NFC receiver(s) 1338 incommunication with the communication module 1314 of releasableperipheral attachment apparatus 1302 of FIG. 13A), or a USB tetheredstorage medium or external computing device (e.g., connected to thereleasable attachment apparatus via a USB port interface such as the USBport interface 1316 of the releasable peripheral attachment apparatus1302).

Although described as a series of steps, in other implementations, themethod 1000 may be performed with one or more steps removed and/or oneor more additional steps included. For example, in another embodiment,if secure data capture mode is launched (1002) outside of a softwareapplication designed for interaction with the secure data capture modealgorithm, the method 1000 may issue a warning to the user that somefunctionality may be lost. For example, a software application thatexecutes a portion of its functionality upon a remote server may fail tofunction properly if data needed by the remote server is intercepted bythe secure data capture mode. In some implementations, in addition torequesting to enter secure data capture mode (1002), a user may selectparticular data stream(s) for redirection (1004) in secure data capturemode (e.g., image data, voice data, etc.). In this manner, external(e.g., cloud-based) data processing can remain supported within softwareapplications not designed to function with the method 1000.Additionally, in some implementations, rather than or in addition toencrypting the data stream, the method 1000 may reformat the data streaminto a preferred data format. In the example of hospital use, patientdata may be reformatted into DICOM format and securely encrypted forinteroperation with a medical facility's DICOM network. In furtherimplementations, steps of the method 1000 may be performed in an orderdifferent than the one portrayed in FIG. 10. For example, dataencryption (1008) may occur at time of data storage (1012) on a locallyaccessible storage medium or applied upon the storage region after datahas been initially transferred to the local storage region.Additionally, the method 1000 may be altered to store data in both alocal storage medium and a remote storage medium. In a first example,data may be replicated on both the local storage medium and the remotestorage medium. In a second example, data may be temporarily stored on alocal storage medium and transferred in batch mode to the remote storagemedium. Depending upon network configuration, user settings, and/or typeof remote storage device, encryption and/or reformatting of the datastream may differ for storage at each of the remote and the localstorage locations. Other modifications are possible while remainingwithin the scope and spirit of the method 1000. Next, a hardwaredescription of the wearable data collection device 106 according toexemplary embodiments is described with reference to FIG. 12. In FIG.12, the wearable data collection device 106 includes a CPU 1200 whichperforms a portion of the processes described above. The process dataand instructions may be stored in memory 1202. These processes andinstructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk 1204 such as aportable storage medium or may be stored remotely. In some examples, theportable storage medium may be a Secure Digital (SD) memory device bydeveloped by the SD Association, CompactFlash, MultiMediaCard (MMC)developed by the JEDEC Solid State Technology Association (JEDEC), oruniversal serial bus (USB) FLASH memory drive Further, the claimedadvancements are not limited by the form of the computer-readable mediaon which the instructions of the inventive process are stored. Forexample, the instructions may be stored on FLASH memory, RAM, ROM, PROM,EPROM, EEPROM, SSD disk or any other information processing device withwhich the wearable computing system communicates, such as a server orcomputer.

Further, components of the claimed advancements may be provided as autility application, background daemon, or component of an operatingsystem, or combination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 1200and an operating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, UNIX, Solaris,LINUX, Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

CPU 1200 may be a mobile or embedded processor from Intel of America orfrom AMD of America, or may be other processor types that would berecognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the CPU1200 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD or using discrete logiccircuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further,CPU 1200 may be implemented as multiple processors cooperatively workingin parallel to perform the instructions of the inventive processesdescribed above.

The wearable computing system in FIG. 12 also includes a networkcontroller 1206, such as from Intel Corporation of America, forinterfacing with network 1228. As can be appreciated, the network 1228can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network suchas an LAN or WAN network, or any combination thereof and can alsoinclude PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. The network 1228 can also be wired,such as an Ethernet network, or can be wireless such as a cellularnetwork including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. Thewireless network can also be Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other wirelessform of communication that is known.

The wearable data collection device 106 further includes a displaycontroller 1208, such as an adaptor from NVIDIA Corporation of Americafor interfacing with display 1210, such as a remotely located display ora heads up display. A general purpose I/O interface 1212 interfaces withan input device. General purpose I/O interface can also communicate witha variety of on board I/O devices 1216 and/or peripheral I/O devices1218 including, in some examples, a video recording system, audiorecording system, microphone, gyroscopes, accelerometers, gravitysensors, linear accelerometers, global positioning system,magnetometers, EEG, EMG, EKG, bar code scanner, QR code scanner, RFIDscanner, temperature monitor, skin dynamics sensors, scent monitor,light monitor, blood dynamics and chemistry monitor, vestibular dynamicsmonitor, external storage devices, and external speaker systems.

A sound controller 1220 is also provided in the wearable data collectiondevice, such as Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interfacewith speakers/microphone 1222 thereby both recording and presentingsounds to the wearer.

The general purpose storage controller 1224 connects the storage mediumdisk 1204 with communication bus 1226, which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA,PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of thewearable computing system. A description of the general features andfunctionality of the display 1210, as well as the display controller1208, storage controller 1224, network controller 1206, sound controller1220, and general purpose I/O interface 1212 is omitted herein forbrevity as these features are known.

The wearable data collection device 106 in FIG. 12, in some embodiments,includes a sensor interface 1230 configured to communicate with one ormore onboard sensors 1232 and/or one or more peripheral sensors 1234.The onboard sensors 1232, for example, can be incorporated directly intothe internal electronics and/or a housing of the wearable device. Theperipheral sensors 1234 can be in direct physical contact with thesensor interface 1230 e.g. via a wire; or in wireless contact e.g. via aBluetooth, Wi-Fi or NFC connection. Alternatively, one or more of theperipheral sensors 1234 may communicate with the sensor interface 1230via conduction through the body tissue or via other mechanisms.Furthermore, one or more peripheral sensors 1234 may be in indirectcontact e.g. via intermediary servers or storage devices that are basedin the network 1228; or in (wired, wireless or indirect) contact with asignal accumulator somewhere on or off the body, which in turn is in(wired or wireless or indirect) contact with the sensor interface 1230.The peripheral sensors 1234 can be arranged in various types ofconfigurations relative to the body. For instance, they can be mountedon the body, near the body, looking at the body, and/or implanted withinthe body of a human or animal subject. The onboard sensors 1232 and/orperipheral sensors 1234 can include, in some examples, one or moremicrophones, bone-conduction microphones, physiological eventsmicrophones, cameras, video cameras, high-speed cameras, temperaturemonitors, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetic field sensors, magneticcompasses, tap sensors and/or vibration sensors—internal or external toa gyroscope/accelerometer complex, infrared sensors or cameras, and/oreye-tracking cameras or eye-tracking sensor complex. In furtherexamples, onboard sensors 1232 and/or peripheral sensors 1234 mayinclude one or more skin-mounted electrodes, body-proximal electrodes(contact or non-contact), pulse oximetry devices, laser and laser-lightsensors, photodiodes, galvanic skin response sensor modules, RF or otherelectromagnetic signal detectors, electrical signal pre-amplifiers,electrical signal amplifiers, electrical signal hardware filter devices,chemical sensors, and/or artificial noses.

A group of sensors communicating with the sensor interface 1230 may beused in combination to gather a given signal type from multiple placessuch as in the case of EEG or skin temperature in order to generate amore complete map of signals. One or more sensors communicating with thesensor interface 1230 can be used as a comparator or verificationelement, for example to filter, cancel, or reject other signals. Forinstance, a light sensor can pick up ambient light or color changes anduse them to subtract or otherwise correct light-based signals from acamera pointed at the eye or skin to pick up small color or reflectancechanges related to physiological events. Likewise, a microphone mountedagainst the body can pick up internal sounds and the voice of thesubject donning the wearable data communication device and subtract theinternal sounds from ambient sounds such as the voice of a separateindividual or noise from environmental events, in order to moreconcentrate on the audible features of external events. Conversely,sensor data may be used to subtract environmental noise frombody-internal sound signatures that can give evidence of physiology.Similarly, the input of multiple temperature monitors can aid inadjusting for major changes in ambient temperature or for narrowing atemperature signature to more narrowly identify the temperature of aparticular element (e.g., device/electronics temperature or bodytemperature) without contamination from heat provided by other elements.

The wearable data collection device 106 in FIG. 12, in some embodiments,includes a stimulation interface 1236 for supplying stimulation feedbackto a subject donning the wearable data collection device. Thestimulation interface 1236 is in communication with one or more onboardstimulators 1238 and/or peripheral stimulators 1240 configured todeliver electrical pulses to the subject, thereby altering physiologicalconditions of the subject. For example, one or more onboard stimulators1238 and/or peripheral stimulators 1240 may be situated and/orconfigured to electrically stimulate heart rate or breathing or brainwaves at particular frequencies. The onboard stimulators 1238 and/orperipheral stimulators 1240 can be mounted on or near the body, and/orimplanted within the body, and can include components that are externaland others that are internal to the body which are all in communicationwith each other. In some examples, onboard stimulators 1238 and/orperipheral stimulators 1240 can include one or more of electrical signalgenerators and stimulation (output) electrodes, vibrator devices,heat-imparting devices, heat-extraction devices, soundgenerators/speakers, electromagnets, lasers, LEDs and other lightsources, drug administering devices, brain stimulation or neuralstimulation devices, gene transcription or expression modulation system,and/or pain or sensory stimulation generators.

The wearable data collection device 106 of FIG. 12, in someimplementations, includes a power attachment interface 1242 forinterfacing with a peripheral attachment apparatus 1244. The powerattachment interface 1242, for example, may include a power supply portor connector for receiving a power supply from the power attachmentapparatus 1244. Further, the power attachment interface 1242 may includea data port or connector for enabling data communications between thewearable data collection device 106 and the releasable peripheralattachment apparatus 1244. For example, both data and power may becommunicated through a micro USB style power attachment interface 1242.

FIG. 13A is a block diagram of a system 1300 including an examplecomputing system 1302 for a releasable peripheral attachment apparatus1302.

FIG. 13B is a block diagram 1360 of the computing system 1302 of FIG.13A configured with audio enhancement components.

FIG. 13C is a block diagram of example power protection components ofthe computing system of FIG. 13A. charge controlling and powerprotection are implemented according to known methods.

FIG. 13D is a block diagram of an example power distribution system of areleasable power attachment apparatus

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a USB port splitter for use with areleasable power attachment apparatus. A PCB arranges two or more femaleUSB ports and the male USB coupling and implements a USB host controllerand hub, and multiplexes the signals passing through. The system allowsfor multiple charge speeds/currents including <500 mA, 1.0 A, and 2.1 A,and allows for concurrent data and power transmission when below 500 mA.This can be hard switched or softswitched, for each port.

Next, a hardware description of the computing device, mobile computingdevice, or server according to exemplary embodiments is described withreference to FIG. 11. In FIG. 11, the computing device, mobile computingdevice, or server includes a CPU 1100 which performs the processesdescribed above. The process data and instructions may be stored inmemory 1102. These processes and instructions may also be stored on astorage medium disk 1104 such as a portable storage medium or may bestored remotely. Further, the claimed advancements are not limited bythe form of the computer-readable media on which the instructions of theinventive process are stored. For example, the instructions may bestored on in FLASH memory, RAM, SSD, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or anyother information processing device with which the computing device,mobile computing device, or server communicates, such as a server orcomputer.

Further, a portion of the claimed advancements may be provided as autility application, background daemon, or component of an operatingsystem, or combination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 1100and an operating system such as Microsoft Windows 10, UNIX, Solaris,LINUX, Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

CPU 1100 may be a mobile/embedded-systems processor from Intel ofAmerica or from AMD of America, or may be other processor types thatwould be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively,the CPU 1100 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD, SOC or usingdiscrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art wouldrecognize. Further, CPU 1100 may be implemented as multiple processorscooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructions of theinventive processes described above.

The computing device, mobile computing device, or server in FIG. 11 alsoincludes a network controller 1106, such as an Intel network interfacecard from Intel Corporation of America, for interfacing with network1128. As can be appreciated, the network 1128 can be a public network,such as the Internet, or a private network such as an LAN or WANnetwork, or any combination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDNsub-networks. The network 1128 can also be wired, such as an Ethernetnetwork, or can be wireless such as a cellular network including EDGE,3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also beWi-Fi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless form of communication that isknown.

The computing device, mobile computing device, or server furtherincludes a display controller 1108, such as a from NVIDIA Corporation ofAmerica for interfacing with display 1110. A general purpose I/Ointerface 1112 interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse 1114 as well as atouch screen panel 1116 on or separate from display 1110. Generalpurpose I/O interface also connects to a variety of peripherals 1118including printers and scanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet fromHewlett Packard.

11 11 The general purpose storage controller 1124 connects the storagemedium disk 1104 with communication bus 1126, which may be an ISA, EISA,VESA, PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of thecomputing device, mobile computing device, or server. A description ofthe general features and functionality of the display 1110, keyboardand/or mouse 1114, as well as the display controller 1108, storagecontroller 1124, network controller 1106, sound controller 1120, andgeneral purpose I/O interface 1112 is omitted herein for brevity asthese features are known.

One or more processors can be utilized to implement various functionsand/or algorithms described herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise.Additionally, any functions and/or algorithms described herein, unlessexplicitly stated otherwise, can be performed upon one or more virtualprocessors, for example on one or more physical computing systems suchas a computer farm or a cloud drive.

Reference has been made to flowchart illustrations and block diagrams ofmethods, systems and computer program products according toimplementations of this disclosure. Aspects thereof are implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in acomputer-readable medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/actsspecified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of this disclosure. For example, preferableresults may be achieved if the steps of the disclosed techniques wereperformed in a different sequence, if components in the disclosedsystems were combined in a different manner, or if the components werereplaced or supplemented by other components. The functions, processesand algorithms described herein may be performed in hardware or softwareexecuted by hardware, including computer processors and/or programmablecircuits configured to execute program code and/or computer instructionsto execute the functions, processes and algorithms described herein.Additionally, some implementations may be performed on modules orhardware not identical to those described. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope that may be claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for providing an external powersupply to a head-mounted wearable data collection device, comprising: afirst portion comprising a first data port interface configured forconnection to a corresponding data port interface of the head-mountedwearable data collection device; and a second portion comprising aninternal data port interface configured for connection to acorresponding internal data port interface of the first portion, a powercell module, and a power supply interface configured for connection to acorresponding power supply input of the head-mounted wearable datacollection device; wherein the first portion releasably connects to thehead-mounted wearable data collection device, and the second portionreleasably connects to the first portion; and control logic comprisinginterface logic for receiving data via the first data port; and commandlogic for issuing commands to the head-mounted data collection device.